get friendly with

USAGE SUMMARY

"get friendly with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about getting to know someone better, or making an effort to have a friendly relationship with someone. Example: I'm trying to get friendly with my new neighbors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

When did you last get friendly with a fisherman?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now it's time to get friendly with your microwave's Power buttons.

The New York Times - Food

Apart from the job they do, such people, being part of the community, often get friendly with local children.

The Guardian

She won't escape her viper perm appointment, however, and at some point will have to get friendly with "the shower cap".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The kids come in here after a game, and then they meet members of the opposing team, and they get friendly with them over ice cream," he said.

The New York Times

You can watch movies through Netflix, use your TiVo, get friendly with Bittorent, or learn the art of averting your gaze.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Saddlebacks got friendly with the Gloucester Old Spots..."...

The Guardian - Travel

"But I never got friendly with him," Mr. Serrano said.

The New York Times

President Obama has gotten tough on China while simultaneously getting friendly with China.

The New York Times

She got friendly with the microphone, turning the songs inward instead of projecting operatic melodrama.

The New York Times

A I got friendly with Tony Bennett because of the studio — he records downstairs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get friendly with" when you want to emphasize the process of initiating or developing a friendly relationship, especially when there's a degree of effort or intention involved.

Common error

While "get friendly with" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing where a more concise or professional term like "befriend" or "establish a relationship with" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get friendly with" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the initiation or development of a friendly relationship. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

The New Yorker

8%

Forbes

7%

TechCrunch

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get friendly with" is a common and generally accepted phrase used to describe the process of forming a friendly relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and informal contexts. While it's versatile, remember that more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "befriend" or "cultivate a relationship with". Keep in mind its informal register when choosing the right expression for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make friends with

Directly states the act of becoming friends.

befriend

A more concise and formal alternative, implying the start of a friendship.

become acquainted with

Focuses on the initial stage of getting to know someone.

cultivate a relationship with

Suggests a deliberate effort to build a connection.

develop rapport with

Focuses on building a harmonious and understanding relationship.

strike up a friendship with

Implies a spontaneous beginning of a friendship.

form a bond with

Indicates a deeper connection than just being friendly.

warm up to

Suggests a gradual increase in friendliness over time.

connect with

A general term for establishing any kind of relationship.

get to know

Emphasizes the process of learning about someone.

FAQs

What does "get friendly with" mean?

The phrase "get friendly with" means to begin to develop a friendly relationship with someone; to start being friends or becoming more familiar and amicable with another person.

How can I use "get friendly with" in a sentence?

You can use "get friendly with" to describe the act of initiating a friendly relationship. For example: "I'm trying to get friendly with my new colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "get friendly with"?

Some alternatives to "get friendly with" include "befriend", "become acquainted with", or "make friends with" depending on the context.

Is "get friendly with" formal or informal?

"Get friendly with" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "establish a relationship with" or "cultivate a rapport with".