play footsie

1. Behave coyly, flirt with, especially secretly. For example, Get to the point, there's no need to play footsie with us . This expression alludes to two persons surreptitiously rubbing each other's feet together. [1940s]

2. Cooperate or curry favor with in a sly or secret way, as in The mayor's been playing footsie with various neighborhood councils . [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Hope Not Hate’s report goes much further, noting the Collinses’ eager fraternization with British racists and eugenicists, their willingness to play footsie with the antisemitic “Great Replacement Theory” because it’s “useful for their cause,” and their obsession with the pseudoscience of IQ.

From Slate

“And then, when the information exploded into the public domain, continue to coddle George Santos and play footsie with him for the better part of the year.”

From Seattle Times

Much of his apparent rise reflected support from big GOP donors, who saw him as a saner alternative to President Donald Trump — someone who would serve their financial interests while attracting working-class support with his social conservatism and willingness to play footsie with conspiracy theories.

From Seattle Times

We watched him play footsie with groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers throughout his presidency.

From Salon

But it’s not Biden’s fault that Republicans continue to play footsie with the document hoarder of Mar-a-Lago.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• caress 
• grope