cozy up to
phr. v..phr. v.. to act very friendly toward someone because you want them to like you or give you something.
phr. v.. to ingratiate oneself with another person, typically for personal gain or to secure a favor; carries a connotation of insincerity or calculation.
He is trying to cozy up to the boss to get a promotion.
The junior reporter tried to cozy up to the senator's assistant to get an exclusive interview.
Lobbyists often attempt to cozy up to influential committee members in hopes of swaying the upcoming legislative vote in their favor.
- Particles
- up to
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- cozy + up + to + object
usually implies the friendliness is not genuine but serves a specific purpose.
highlight the physical origin of 'cozy' (warmth/closeness) to explain how the figurative meaning implies getting 'close' to someone for protection or profit.
She tried to cozy up with the manager.She tried to cozy up to the manager.the correct preposition following the particles is 'to', not 'with'.