chat up

USAGE SUMMARY

"chat up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe when someone talks to someone else in a flirtatious or romantic way in an attempt to be attractive to them or start a romantic relationship with them. Example: He's been trying to chat up the new girl in his office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

She could chat up anyone.

The New Yorker

Others chat up the punters in rudimentary English.

The Guardian

One day, Savage was dared to chat up a mop.

The Guardian - Sport

They urge members to chat up their friends.

The New York Times

"You can come here and chat up a storm," he said of the store's appeal.

The New York Times

The machine could answer simple questions and chat up a barnyard.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

What's your chat-up line?

The Guardian - Music

That was not a good chat-up line," he replied.

Independent

Got to be the best chat-up line ever".

The Guardian - Opinion

We ascribe far too much ingenuity and flair to the chat-up.

Independent

And what if that chat-up line was just funny enough to spark a longer conversation?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chat up", be mindful of the context. It's often used informally, so avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "chat up" in situations where a formal or respectful tone is required. It's generally unsuitable for professional communications or serious discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "chat up" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression to describe initiating a conversation with someone, often with the intent to flirt or establish a romantic connection. Ludwig AI indicates it's a usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "chat up" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe initiating a conversation with someone, often with the intent to flirt or start a romantic relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in English. While commonly found in news and media sources, it's best reserved for informal settings and avoided in professional or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "flirt with" or "strike up a conversation" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flirt with

This alternative directly implies romantic or sexual interest.

pick up

This implies a romantic interest.

make advances toward

This suggests a more direct and potentially bolder approach.

strike up a conversation with

This is a more neutral way to describe initiating a dialogue, without necessarily implying romantic intent.

engage in conversation with

Similar to 'strike up a conversation with', but slightly more formal.

spark a dialogue with

This suggests the intent to start a meaningful or interesting conversation.

become familiar with

This implies a purpose beyond initial conversational exchange, targeting deeper level of personal acquaintance.

establish contact with

This suggest a cold and business approach.

address

This implies a formal approach.

accost

This suggests a slightly negative, even aggressive, way of approaching someone.

FAQs

How do you use "chat up" in a sentence?

You can use "chat up" to describe someone initiating a friendly conversation, sometimes flirtatiously, to establish a connection. For example, "He tried to chat up the bartender to get a free drink."

What's the difference between "chat up" and "talk to"?

"Chat up" implies a specific intention of flirting or trying to start a romantic relationship, whereas "talk to" is a more general term for simply having a conversation.

What can I say instead of "chat up"?

You can use alternatives like "flirt with", "pick up", or "strike up a conversation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chat up" in professional communication?

No, using "chat up" in professional communication is generally inappropriate. It's best reserved for informal or casual settings. Consider using more neutral phrases like "engage with" or "speak to" instead.