bosom buddy

One's close or closest friend; a friend one holds dear to one's heart. We grew up right next door to each other, so we have been bosom buddies since we were kids. I'm so excited that my bosom buddy is coming to visit this weekend! Carly's my bosom buddy, so I can tell her anything.

bosom pal

One's close or closest friend; a friend one holds dear to one's heart. We grew up right next door to each other, so we have been bosom pals since we were kids. I'm so excited that my bosom pal is coming to visit this weekend! Carly's my bosom pal, so I can tell her anything.

gal pal

informal A female friend. My gal pals and I are all headed into town for a night of dancing. She's not my girlfriend, Dad. She's just a girl who is a friend. A gal pal. How many gal pals did you invite to your bachelorette party?

old pals act

The idea that someone has used their power, money, influence, or position to benefit or protect their friends or acquaintances. Used especially in reference to sports teams. Primarily heard in UK. Despite being great friends with the club's owner, the new manager insists that it was his belief in the team's ability to win championships, not some old pals act, that led him to take the job.

pal around (with someone)

To spend time or do things (with someone) as friends or in a friendly way. I used to pal around with him in high school, but I have no idea what he's up to these days. I was surprised to see them palling around—they usually hang out with such different groups of friends.

See also: around, pal

pal up (with someone)

To begin associating or spending time with someone as a friend. There are a couple of kids that Tom has been palling up with in his new school. I just feel like Tom doesn't want to spend as much time with me ever since he and Suzy palled up.

put 'er there(, pal)

Give me your hand so that I can shake it. Typically said as a greeting or in agreement to a deal. ("’Er" is a colloquial shortening of "her.") A: "That's my final offer for the computer." B: "I wish I could get more for it, but you win. Put ’er there!" Put ’er there, pal! I haven't seen you in a donkey's age!

Put it there

Shake my hand. As in greeting or in agreement to a deal. A: "50 dollars is my final offer for the computer." B: "I wish I could get more for it, but you win. Put it there!" Hey, John, put it there! I haven't seen you in a donkey's age!

bosom buddy

and bosom pal

a close friend; one's closest friend. Of course I know Perry. He is one of my bosom pals.

pal around (with someone)

to associate with someone as a good friend. I like to pal around with my friends on the weekends. They like to pal around. They often palled around with each other.

See also: around, pal

pal up (with someone)

to join with someone as a friend. I palled up with Henry and we had a fine time together. We palled up and had a fine time together. They palled up with each other.

pal around

Associate as friends or chums, as in Bill and Jim have been palling around for years. This expression makes a verb of the noun pal, which comes from the Gypsy word for "brother." [c. 1900]

See also: around, pal

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the old pals act

used humorously to imply that someone is using a position of influence to help their friends. British informal

pal around

To spend time or do things with someone in a friendly or informal manner: My roommates and I pal around together all the time.

See also: around, pal

pal

(pæl)

1. n. a close, male friend or buddy. Be nice to him. He’s my pal.

2. n. a term of address for a stranger, usually a male. Look, pal, I was in line in front of you!

pal around (with someone)

in. to be friends with someone; to move about socially with someone. Tom and Heidi have palled around for years.

pal around

verb

See pal around with someone

See also: around, pal

See also: