Definition

Verb: - To move or approach someone or something in a cautious, stealthy, or ingratiating manner, often with the aim of gaining favor or advantage.

Usage

This verb describes a specific type of movement that is indirect, often sideways, and accompanied by an attitude of trying to please or get close to someone, sometimes insincerely. It is typically followed by the preposition "to" when specifying the target.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "sidle up to [someone/something]": This is the standard construction. The phrase implies a combination of physical movement and social maneuvering.
  • The cat sidled up to the visitor, hoping for a treat.
  • Politicians often sidle up to wealthy donors at fundraising events.

Variants and Related Words

• Sidle (verb): To move in a furtive or unobtrusive manner, especially sideways or obliquely.
  • He sidled out of the room while everyone was arguing.

Synonyms

• Edge up to: To move gradually closer.
• Creep up to: To approach slowly and stealthily.
• Ingratiate oneself with: To bring oneself into favor with someone by deliberate effort (shares the social connotation but not necessarily the physical movement).

Phrasal Verbs

(This is the target phrasal verb itself. No additional related phrasal verbs are listed separately.)

Related Idioms

• Play up to someone: To flatter or try to please someone, especially to gain an advantage. This idiom shares the insincere, ingratiating social behavior implied by "sidle up to" but does not include the specific physical movement.
  • He's always playing up to the boss before annual reviews.

Verb

1. ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior
   • She is playing up to the chairman