Phrasal verbs "put up to" vs "sidle up to"

Differences between put up to and sidle up to

Put up to means to encourage or persuade someone to do something, while sidle up to means to approach someone in a sly or sneaky way.

Meanings and Definitions: put up to vs sidle up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Put up to

  • 1Encourage someone to do something.

    His friends PUT him UP TO stealing it.

Sidle up to

  • 1Approach someone discreetly.

    He SIDLED UP TO me and whispered his name.

Usage Examples: put up to, sidle up to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

put up to

Example

She put her sister up to playing a prank on their parents.

Example

He puts his friends up to doing silly things for fun.

sidle up to

Example

She sidled up to her friend to share a secret.

Example

He sidles up to the bar to order a drink.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put up to

talk into

To persuade or convince someone to do something.

Example

She talked him into going to the party even though he was hesitant at first.

To urge or encourage someone to do something, often in a mischievous or playful way.

Example

His friends egged him on to try the spicy food challenge, even though they knew he couldn't handle it.

To gently persuade or convince someone to do something.

Example

She coaxed him into trying the new restaurant by telling him about their delicious desserts.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Sidle up to

To approach someone or something in a quiet, sneaky, or cautious way.

Example

The cat approached stealthily towards the bird feeder, hoping to catch a bird.

creep up on

To approach someone or something quietly and unexpectedly.

Example

The children crept up on their sleeping father and surprised him with a birthday cake.

sneak up on

To approach someone or something quietly and without being noticed.

Example

The thief sneaked up on the house and tried to break in through the window.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Differences in put up to vs sidle up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: put up to or sidle up to?

In daily conversation, people use put up to more often than sidle up to. This is because put up to is used for more common situations where someone is being encouraged or persuaded to do something. Sidle up to is not used as much and is more specific in its meaning. So, while both phrases are used, put up to is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of put up to and sidle up to

Put up to and sidle up to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of put up to and sidle up to

The tone of put up to and sidle up to can differ based on context. Put up to often carries a positive or neutral tone when related to encouraging someone to do something, while sidle up to typically has a negative or suspicious tone, especially when referring to approaching someone in a sneaky way.

put up to & sidle up to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Sidle up to

Synonyms

  • approach
  • edge closer
  • sneak up
  • move near
  • creep up
  • inch closer

Antonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!