bellying up

present participle of belly up

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bellying up Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026 Across the river, Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn brings a stylish, approachable scene for bellying up and indulging in sexy French cuisine. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026 Swashbucklers, scoundrels, bandits and buccaneers will soon be bellying up to the bar inside a lively new pirate pub at Walt Disney World that’s already booked solid for the first two months and promises to be a must-have reservation for visitors. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellying up
Verb
  • Three of the rookies made contributions Monday with cornerback Mansoor Delane coming up with an interception, defensive tackle Peter Woods batting down a pass and defensive end Thomas recording a sack.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Collins had no events scheduled for Labor Day, but had been campaigning aggressively in the days leading up to the holiday and has several stops coming up this week.
    Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • By drawing on cues such as voice, facial expression, and behavioral patterns, the OlloBot OlloNi SS1 is designed to initiate interactions in certain everyday situations.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The production filmed at Berry Gordy’s first mansion and the Detroit Masonic Temple, while also drawing on local crews and talent.
    Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Say, if Ferrari, which is closing in on another 20 years without a title, finally designs a pack-leading car and Leclerc is in the fight as much as Hamilton.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Tropical Storm Edouard is closing in on the Texas-Louisiana border, forecast to possibly reach hurricane strength at landfall Tuesday with dangerous storm surge and flooding rain.
    Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • With long-term Treasury yields surging, mortgage rates are approaching levels that could further erode affordability.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Concerns about affordability have taken a leading role in the fast-approaching midterm elections.
    Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Trump first proposed closing the center for two years in February, with the board subsequently approving the plan in March.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The temptation to rush the final stage of the process can be irresistible — just ask Lee Mason, who lost his job as a VAR after hastily closing a check on a game between Arsenal and Brentford in 2023.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Earlier in the year, the Yankees viewed Jones as a platoon bat, with nearly the entirety of his playing time coming against right-handers.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Large numbers of Canadian snowbirds typically flock to warm-weather locations in Florida, Arizona and California when temperatures drop at home, making the coming months a test of whether the grassroots boycott will extend into another winter.
    Rio Yamat, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bellying up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellying%20up. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster