Meaning & use
cozy up
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Meanings
verbphrasal verb
To settle yourself in a warm, comfortable place, often with someone or something that adds to the comfort.
Grammar: No object; often followed by with or by: cozy up with a blanket.
Patterns
- cozy up with something
- cozy up by something
- cozy up in something
We cozied up by the fire with hot chocolate.
She likes to cozy up with a good novel on rainy Sundays.
The kids cozied up on the sofa to watch a film.
verbphrasal verbdisapproving
To try to win the favor or friendship of someone, especially someone powerful, usually for personal gain.
Grammar: Almost always followed by to: cozy up to the boss.
Patterns
- cozy up to someone
- cozy up to something
He was always cozying up to the manager before promotion time.
Politicians cozy up to wealthy donors during election season.
I dislike how she cozies up to anyone with influence.
verbphrasal verb
To move physically close to someone, especially in an affectionate way.
Grammar: No object; usually with to or next to: cozy up to your partner.
Patterns
- cozy up to someone
- cozy up next to someone
The couple cozied up on the bench to share an umbrella.
The puppy cozied up to her feet and fell asleep.
He cozied up to his friend to keep warm.
Word forms
| third person singular | cozies up |
|---|---|
| past tense | cozied up |
| past participle | cozied up |
| -ing form | cozying up |
Common combinations
- cozy up to the boss
- Nobody respects someone who cozies up to the boss.
- cozy up with a book
- I plan to cozy up with a book this weekend.
- cozy up by the fire
- The hikers cozied up by the fire after the cold trek.
- cozy up to power
- The journalist accused the minister of cozying up to power.
- cozy up under a blanket
- They cozied up under a blanket to watch the storm.
Synonyms and how they differ
- snuggle
- Snuggle focuses on warm physical closeness and has no sense of seeking favor.
- curry favor
- Curry favor is only about winning approval, usually in a flattering, insincere way, and never about comfort.
- ingratiate yourself
- Ingratiate yourself is more formal and sounds clearly negative, while cozy up can be playful.
- nestle
- Nestle describes settling into a snug spot, usually physically, and is gentler and more literary.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cozy up or cozen?
cozy up vs cozen
Cozen is a literary verb meaning to cheat or trick someone, and is unrelated to cozy up.
Practice
The new employee kept ____ the director in the hope of a quick promotion.
Choose one answer.
In the sense of seeking favor, cozy up takes to followed by the person. Cozy up with suggests comfort, as with a blanket or a book.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cozy up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.