套近乎

wǒ děi gēn lǎo bǎn tào jìn hu wǒ xiǎng zhǎng gōng zī

我得跟老板套近乎，我想涨工资。

I have to keep my boss in a good humor because I need to ask for a rise.

zán men àn yuán zé bàn shì bié xiǎng tào jìn hu

咱们按原则办事，别想套近乎。

We must adhere to the principle. Don't try to cotton up to me.

tā zǒng xiǎng gēn rén jia tào jìn hu kě jiù shì méi rén lǐ tā

他总想跟人家套近乎，可就是没人理他。

He always tries to cotton up to others, but no one pays any attention to him.

tā yī shàng lai jiù hé měi gè rén tào jìn hu

她一上来就和每个人套近乎。

She started off being quite matey with everyone.