buddy up
phrasal 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
Examples of buddy up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our allies as not allies, and suddenly wanting to buddy up with Putin in Russia or with Xi and China, think about it.
—
CBS News, 30 Mar. 2025
The policy change was the latest strategic shift Meta has taken to buddy up with Trump and Republicans since Election Day.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025
In Libra, chatty Mercury buddies up to lucky Jupiter, but shuns healing Chiron.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 4 Oct. 2024
Luke Bryan may believe that Beyoncé should just buddy up to the country establishment, but his statement alludes to the nature of awards shows.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
When the Sun buddies up to Jupiter in your sign, you’re offered a valuable opportunity for personal expansion.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 2 Aug. 2024
Apple and OpenAI will buddy up Apple has reportedly inked a deal with OpenAI that would allow iPhone users access to its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 6 June 2024
Cameron needs to find a way to get in good with anyone willing to buddy up with him and build from there.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2023
Talking Sofia Vergara and Jimmy Fallon catch up during her appearance on The Tonight Show on Jan. 16.
10 of 100
Screen Partners
Nat Wolff and Lucy Hale buddy up at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversation about their rom-com Which Brings Me to You in New York City on Jan. 16.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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CBS News, 30 Mar. 2025
The policy change was the latest strategic shift Meta has taken to buddy up with Trump and Republicans since Election Day.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025
In Libra, chatty Mercury buddies up to lucky Jupiter, but shuns healing Chiron.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 4 Oct. 2024
Luke Bryan may believe that Beyoncé should just buddy up to the country establishment, but his statement alludes to the nature of awards shows.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
When the Sun buddies up to Jupiter in your sign, you’re offered a valuable opportunity for personal expansion.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 2 Aug. 2024
Apple and OpenAI will buddy up Apple has reportedly inked a deal with OpenAI that would allow iPhone users access to its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 6 June 2024
Cameron needs to find a way to get in good with anyone willing to buddy up with him and build from there.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2023
Talking Sofia Vergara and Jimmy Fallon catch up during her appearance on The Tonight Show on Jan. 16.
10 of 100
Screen Partners
Nat Wolff and Lucy Hale buddy up at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversation about their rom-com Which Brings Me to You in New York City on Jan. 16.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Buddy up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buddy%20up. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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