Phrasal verb
chum up
Definition
phrasal verb. to become friendly with someone and start spending time together.
phrasal verb. to form a friendship or close association with another person. This phrasal verb is often used intransitively or followed by the preposition 'with'.
Examples
“They often chum up with new people at the club.”
“After discovering a shared interest in vintage cars, the new neighbors quickly began to chum up with each other.”
“While the political alliance was born of necessity, the two leaders appeared to chum up quite genuinely during the long weekend of negotiations.”
Examples
simple
“They often chum up with new people at the club.”
contextual
“After discovering a shared interest in vintage cars, the new neighbors quickly began to chum up with each other.”
complex
“While the political alliance was born of necessity, the two leaders appeared to chum up quite genuinely during the long weekend of negotiations.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'with' to indicate the person one is befriending.
Teaching tip
Explain that 'chum' is an old-fashioned word for 'friend', which helps students remember the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Pitfall
He chummed up his boss.
He chummed up with his boss.
The verb requires the preposition 'with' to connect to the person being befriended.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
chum + up + with + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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