sidle away (from someone or something)
To move gradually, inconspicuously, or surreptitiously away from someone or something. I began sidling away from him one he started spouting political extremisms. He started feeling uncomfortable at the party, so he sidled away as soon as everyone's attention was on the host.
sidle up (from someone or something)
To move gradually, inconspicuously, or surreptitiously up to or toward someone or something. As soon as you step foot in the city center, panhandlers begin sidling up looking for handouts. She sidled up to me with a sultry look in her eyes.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
sidle away (from someone or something)
to avoid someone or something by moving to the side; to ease away from someone or something. The cowboy sidled away from the bar and drew his gun. He sidled away and snuck out the door.
sidle up (to someone or something)
to move close to someone or something cautiously or furtively; to move closer to someone or something gradually. Tex sidled up to Dolly and said howdy in a soft, shy voice. Dolly sidled up and picked the cowboy's pocket.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
sidle up
v. To advance in an unobtrusive, furtive, or coy way: At the train station, swindlers sidled up to the tourists.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.