Cosy up to Meaning in English
expression
ˈkoʊzi/ /ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
KOH-zee UP too, tuh, ti
kˈəʊzi/ /ˈʌp/ /tˈuː
KOH-zee UP TOO
Definition
To act friendly or close to someone, usually because you want something from them or to gain an advantage.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and sometimes negative; suggests manipulation or insincerity. Often used about trying to please someone powerful ('cosy up to the boss'). Not always about physical closeness; refers to social behaviors.
Spanish: acercarse (de forma interesada) - adularPortuguese (BR): se aproximar de (com segundas intenções) - bajularPortuguese (PT): aproximar-se de (com interesses) - bajularChinese (Simplified): 拉近关系（出于利益）Chinese (Traditional): 拉近關係（出於利益）Hindi: चापलूसी करना - नज़दीक आना (स्वार्थ से)Arabic: يتقرب إلى (بدافع المصلحة) - يداهنBengali: তেল মারা - ঘনিষ্ঠ হওয়া (স্বার্থের জন্য)Russian: подлизываться - заигрывать (с целью выгоды)Japanese: ご機嫌を取る - 取り入ろうとするVietnamese: làm thân (để vụ lợi) - lấy lòngKorean: 아부하다 - 알랑거리다Turkish: yanaşmak (çıkar için) - yağ çekmekUrdu: خوشامد کرنا - چاپلوسی کرناIndonesian: menjilat - mendekat (untuk keuntungan)
Example Sentences
He always cosies up to the teacher before exams.
basic
You shouldn't cosy up to people just to get favors.
basic
They tried to cosy up to the new manager at lunch.
basic
Don’t bother cosying up to her—she sees right through it.
natural
Politicians love to cosy up to big businesses during campaigns.
natural
She started cosying up to Jack after he got promoted.
natural