buddy-buddy
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Intimate, friendly, close: "buddy-buddy" describes a relationship characterized by excessive or conspicuously close familiarity and friendliness. It often implies a relationship that is noticeably informal, chummy, or overly friendly, sometimes to the point of seeming insincere or exclusive.
Usage
- The adjective "buddy-buddy" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem"). It is an informal, slightly colloquial term.
- It often carries a connotation of closeness that is either genuine and warm or, alternatively, perceived as excessive, cliquish, or artificially friendly.
Examples
- Attributive use:
- I don't trust their buddy-buddy relationship; it seems more like a business alliance.
- He has a buddy-buddy manner with everyone in the office.
- Predicative use:
- The manager and the new intern got buddy-buddy very quickly.
- They were acting all buddy-buddy at the party, but I know they don't really like each other.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used to describe behavior as well as a state of relationship.
- Stop being so buddy-buddy with the boss; people will think you're trying to gain favor.
- It can sometimes have a slightly negative or skeptical nuance, questioning the authenticity of the friendship.
Variants and Related Words
- Buddy (n): A close friend; a comrade. (e.g., )
- Chummy (adj): Informal synonym for friendly and intimate. (e.g., )
- Pally (adj): Informal term meaning friendly or intimate. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Chummy: Friendly in an intimate way.
- Thick: Very friendly or intimate (as in "thick as thieves").
- Familiar: Closely acquainted; intimate.
- Palsy-walsy: Informal term meaning affectionately friendly.
Antonyms
- Distant: Not intimate; reserved.
- Formal: Following conventional rules of behavior; not familiar.
- Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
- Hostile: Unfriendly; antagonistic.
Idioms and Phrases
- Thick as thieves: An idiom meaning very close and secretive, sharing confidences. This is a close conceptual relative to "buddy-buddy."
- Ever since they worked on that project together, they've been as thick as thieves.
Adjective
- (used informally) associated on close terms
- a close friend
- the bartender was chummy with the regular customers
- the two were thick as thieves for months