buddy up
verb
buddied up; buddying up; buddies up
US, informal
: to become friendly especially in order to get help or some advantage
—often + with
New students are encouraged to buddy up with older students.
—often + tobusinessmen buddying up to politicians in order to get their support
Cite this Entry
“Buddy up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buddy%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
