1. He tried to cotton up to his teacher before the exam.
他在考试前试图讨好老师。

2. Some students cotton up to the teacher to get better grades.
一些学生为了取得更好成绩而讨好老师。

3. She doesn’t like people who cotton up just for favors.
她不喜欢为了好处而刻意讨好的人。

4. He cottoned up to his boss to gain promotion opportunities.
他讨好上司以获得晋升机会。

A: Why is he always being so friendly to the manager?
A：他为什么总是对经理那么友好？

B: He is trying to cotton up to him for a promotion.
B：他是想讨好他以获得晋升。

1) 指为了利益而刻意讨好他人

2) 带有目的性的亲近行为

3) 在职场或学校中迎合权威人物

1. 讨好；巴结

e.g. He tried to cotton up to his supervisor.
他试图讨好他的主管。

2. 奉承；迎合

e.g. She dislikes people who cotton up to others for gain.
她不喜欢为了利益而奉承他人的人。

phrasal verb

1. to behave in a friendly way toward someone in order to gain favor or advantage.

Synonym: flatter, ingratiate, suck up