poke someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poke someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts to refer to the act of lightly touching or prodding someone, often to get their attention or to playfully annoy them. Example: "During the meeting, I had to poke John to wake him up when he started dozing off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

A couple of times I'd accidentally poke someone and they'd go, 'Ow,' but that's about it".

The New York Times

"So is there a way to poke someone in person?" A girl suggested shyly, "Smile at them?" After the session, Schachter admitted that he had never been on Facebook.

The New Yorker

Now eight years later, more than 800 million people do the same thing I've been doing each time they update their status or post an image or poke someone on Facebook.

The New York Times

In the section in which LeDuff joins an Arena 2 football team, he tells us that pregame, he relieved himself and didn't wash afterward "in case I needed to poke someone in the eye".

The New York Times - Books

"I did a show once at a gallery where the audience was right up against us, and I was terrified I was going to poke someone in the eye with my bow".

The New York Times - Arts

You could poke someone's eye out with it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Remember to bend the tip of the plane back or cut it off, you could poke someones eye out!

WikiHow

He's incredulous that poking someone is construed as a come-on.

Independent

He put his hand on a classmate in line, forgot his homework, poked someone.

The New York Times

The site also has a "Notice Him/Her" function, which is akin to "poking" someone on Facebook, a nonverbal expression of interest.

TechCrunch

Because YouTube wasn't designed for skills-based learning, like figuring out the steps to that new dance move or how to fence without poking someone's eye out, for example, Mevu wants to provide the kind of awesome how-to videos you can't find on YouTube.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poke someone" in informal contexts to describe a light, playful touch or a digital interaction on social media. For physical interactions, consider the force and intent behind the poke to determine if a more descriptive verb is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "poke someone" in formal or professional settings where a more respectful or clear communication method is required. The ambiguity of the phrase can lead to misinterpretations or offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poke someone" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "poke" is the verb and "someone" is the direct object. It describes the action of lightly touching or prodding a person. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poke someone" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe the act of lightly touching or prodding a person, or, in the context of social media, sending a virtual nudge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent use in a variety of informal contexts such as News & Media and Wiki. While alternatives like "nudge someone" or "tap someone" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey, it's crucial to avoid using this phrase in formal or professional settings where more direct and respectful communication is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nudge someone

Emphasizes a gentle push, often to get attention or prompt action.

prod someone

Suggests a more insistent form of poking, implying urging or goading.

jab someone

Implies a quick, sharp poke, potentially with more force.

tap someone

Indicates a light, gentle touch for attention.

shove someone

Suggests a forceful push, often unintentionally.

dig someone

Implies poking with a finger or object, often playfully or teasingly.

jog someone

Means to stimulate one's memory with a poke or other reminder.

prick someone

Suggests a small puncture or poke with a sharp object.

goad someone

Suggests the meaning of provoking someone with a poke.

tickle someone

Implies to poke someone in a funny manner.

FAQs

How can I use "poke someone" in a sentence?

You can use "poke someone" to describe a light physical touch, as in, "I had to poke him to wake him up". It is also used to describe a virtual action on Facebook, such as "I decided to "poke someone" on Facebook to get their attention".

What are some alternatives to "poke someone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nudge someone", "tap someone", or "prod someone". For a Facebook interaction, there isn't a direct synonym.

Is it appropriate to use "poke someone" in a professional setting?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "poke someone" in formal or professional environments as it can be perceived as too casual or even inappropriate. Choose more direct and respectful ways to communicate.

What does it mean to "poke someone" on Facebook?

On Facebook, to ""poke someone"" is a feature that allows users to send a virtual nudge to another user. The exact intention is ambiguous, but it's often used as a simple way to get someone's attention.