What does "cosy up to" mean (sense 1)?

To try to become close to or friendly with someone, especially someone powerful, in order to gain advantage. Example: "He's been cosying up to the new director ever since he heard about the promotions."

What does "cosy up to" mean (sense 2)?

(Of countries, organizations, or political entities) To seek closer relations or alignment with another party, often for strategic benefit. Example: "The small nation has been cosying up to its wealthy neighbor in hopes of securing trade agreements."

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cosy up to

B2 informal inseparable transitive

To deliberately try to become friendly or close to someone, especially a powerful or influential person, usually for personal advantage.

In plain English

To try to get close to someone important so they will like you and help you.

What does "cosy up to" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 idiomatic informal

common

To try to become close to or friendly with someone, especially someone powerful, in order to gain advantage.

"He's been cosying up to the new director ever since he heard about the promotions."

inseparable

2 C1 idiomatic neutral

common

(Of countries, organizations, or political entities) To seek closer relations or alignment with another party, often for strategic benefit.

"The small nation has been cosying up to its wealthy neighbor in hopes of securing trade agreements."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To make oneself cosy (comfortable/close) toward someone.

Actually means

To try to get close to someone important so they will like you and help you.

Usage tip

Often used with a slightly negative or suspicious connotation — it implies that the friendliness is strategic rather than genuine. Used in both political and personal contexts. The American spelling is 'cozy up to.' Common in journalism when describing political alliances.

Words that pair with "cosy up to"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

boss power politician investor celebrity influential

How to conjugate "cosy up to"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

cosy up to

I/you/we/they

3rd person

cosies up to

he/she/it

Past simple

cosied up to

yesterday

Past participle

cosied up to

have + pp

-ing form

cosying up to

continuous

Hear "cosy up to" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "cosy up to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "cosy up to"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

butter up cultivate curry favor with get close to ingratiate oneself with suck up to

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "cosy" All phrasal verbs with "up" More B2-level phrasal verbs