bellying up
Moving right alongside
Bellying up is approaching something closely, especially a bar or counter, so that your belly nearly touches it.
The phrase evokes sidling up to drink: We bellied up to the bar and ordered a round.
By extension, it can mean confronting something directly or taking responsibility: Time to belly up and face the consequences.
- approachingComing toward something
- confrontingAddressing directly
- scootingMoving rapidly, often seated
- taking a seatOccupying a chair
- minglingCasual social interaction
sliding · fraternizing · leaning · edging · settling · maneuvering · advancing · addressing · interacting · engaging · participating · shifting · embracing · socializing · committing · networking · initiating · chatting
bellying upbacking away
Reverse movement from something
stepping back · retreating · withdrawing · pulling back · moving away
bellying uphanging back
Staying reluctantly behind
shrinking back · holding back · staying away · shying away · keeping to oneself
bellying upbowing out
Voluntarily stepping aside
opting out · sitting out · abstaining · ducking out · chickening out