cosy up to
Seek someone's approval
To cosy up to someone is to ingratiate yourself with them, typically for personal advantage.
The phrase suggests cultivating closeness that may be calculated rather than genuine: She's been cosying up to the boss lately.
The British spelling cosy becomes cozy in American English.
The literal sense—to move physically closer for warmth or comfort—is less common than the figurative one implying flattery or strategic friendliness.
Praise to please
- schmoozeChat to gain favor
- butter upFlatter insincerely for advantage
- suck upFlatter for advantage
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
woo · fawn · charm · curry favor · sweet-talk · win over · play up to · soft-soap
Form a pair
- warm up toGradually become fond of
- cultivateGrow or develop purposefully
- pal aroundAssociate in friendship
- chum upForm a friendship
flatter
Praise to please
court · woo · fawn · charm · curry favor · sweet-talk · win over · play up to · soft-soap · brownnose
buddy up
Form a pair
- warm up toGradually become fond of
- cultivateGrow or develop purposefully
- pal aroundAssociate in friendship
cosy up tokeep at arm's length
Maintain deliberate distance from
shun · cold-shoulder · avoid · steer clear of · give the cold shoulder
cosy up toantagonize
Incite hostility in
alienate · repel · offend · turn against · cross
cosy, cozy, cosier, cosiest, coziest, cosily, cozily, cosiness, coziness