buddying up
Forming a pair
Buddying up is forming a partnership or alliance, typically for mutual support or a shared task.
The phrase often appears in contexts where pairing provides safety or accountability: The teacher had students buddy up for the field trip.
It can also suggest cozying up to someone strategically: He's been buddying up to the boss lately.
- teaming upForming a cooperative unit
- pairing offForming into twos
- friendshipBond of mutual affection
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- empathySharing another's emotions
camaraderie · mutual aid · partnership · bonding · companionship · encouragement · closeness · sticking together · rapport · trust-building · teamwork · joining forces · affiliation · reassurance · sidekick · kindness · coalition · solidarity
buddying upgoing it alone
Acting independently, unassisted
keeping to oneself · withdrawing · separating · flying solo · self-isolating
buddying upturning against
Reversing one's allegiance
cutting ties · breaking ties · alienating · opposing · antagonizing