cozy up

USAGE SUMMARY

'cozy up' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it when referring to getting comfortable or snuggling. For example, "We decided to cozy up and watch a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nobody wants to cozy up to addiction.

The New York Times

The motivation, he argued, was to cozy up to France.

The New York Times

His strategy is to cozy up to the show's writers.

The New York Times

The museum owns every print here, yet the work doesn't cozy up to the Met.

The New Yorker

I concede: Amazon's not trying to torture authors, but cozy up to us.

The New York Times

"I've got no desire to cozy up to anyone with a stump.

The New Yorker

At day's end, a visitor can cozy up with a blueberry beer and lobster.

The New York Times - Travel

And in some cases, they are even seeking to cozy up to the upstarts.

The New York Times

In his unorthodox way, my dear father was trying to cozy up and learn.

The New York Times

IT'S fireplace season, the time to hunker down, cozy up and do some weekend woolgathering.

The New York Times - Travel

South Korea doesn't quite know whether to resist Chinese domination or cozy up to it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cozy up" to describe getting physically comfortable in a warm, inviting setting, such as "cozy up by the fireplace". Consider connotations of intimacy and relaxation when deploying "cozy up" in your writing.

Common error

While "cozy up" is perfectly acceptable in informal settings, avoid it in professional or academic writing where more formal language is required. Alternatives like "improve relations" or "seek to collaborate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cozy up" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing an action performed by a subject. Ludwig's examples show it is often used reflexively, meaning the subject is acting upon themselves to become comfortable. For instance, "At day's end, a visitor can cozy up with a blueberry beer and lobster."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cozy up" is a common and generally acceptable phrasal verb with two primary meanings: getting physically comfortable and attempting to become friendly with someone, often for personal gain. While Ludwig AI indicates it is a correct phrase, it's crucial to consider the context and register when using it. It's more appropriate for informal settings than formal or professional ones. The analysis shows that it frequently appears in news and media sources, suggesting a relatively neutral to informal tone. Be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and choose alternative phrasing for clarity in professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snuggle up

Focuses more on the physical act of cuddling or nestling comfortably.

get comfortable

Emphasizes the act of becoming physically relaxed and at ease.

cuddle up

Implies a close, affectionate embrace, often for warmth or comfort.

draw closer

Suggests a movement towards physical or emotional proximity.

ingratiate oneself

Highlights the attempt to gain favor or acceptance, potentially through flattery or charm.

curry favor

Focuses on seeking approval or advantage, often implying insincerity.

become friendly

Emphasizes the development of a warm and amicable relationship.

improve relations

Highlights the act of enhancing or mending relationships, often in a formal context.

seek closeness

Focuses on desiring emotional or physical proximity.

build rapport

Stresses the development of a harmonious and understanding relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "cozy up" in a sentence?

You can use "cozy up" to describe getting comfortable and warm, like "Let's "cozy up" with a good book" or to describe trying to get on someone's good side, like "He tried to "cozy up" to the boss".

What does "cozy up" mean?

"Cozy up" has two main meanings. It can mean to get physically comfortable and warm, or it can mean to try to become friendly with someone, often to gain an advantage. Context is key to understanding the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "cozy up" when referring to getting comfortable?

If you mean getting physically comfortable, you can use alternatives such as "snuggle up", "cuddle up", or "get comfortable".

When is it inappropriate to use "cozy up"?

Avoid using "cozy up" in formal or professional contexts where a more serious or objective tone is required. For instance, instead of saying "They tried to "cozy up" to the investors", consider saying "They sought to "build rapport" with the investors".