Definition

1. Verb (transitive, informal):
   • To engage someone in light, friendly conversation, often with the aim of initiating a romantic or sexual relationship.
   • To talk to someone in a charming or flattering way to gain their favor or interest.

Usage

This phrasal verb is commonly used in informal contexts, particularly in British English. It describes the act of approaching someone, often a stranger, and starting a conversation with romantic or flirtatious intent. The object of the verb (the person being talked to) usually follows 'up'.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • He spent the whole party trying to chat up my friend.
  • I saw you chatting up the bartender. Did you get her number?
  • She's very good at chatting people up at networking events.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase implies a specific, often playful or persuasive, purpose to the conversation, distinguishing it from general small talk.
• It can sometimes be used more broadly to mean persuading or charming someone in a non-romantic context, though this is less common.
  • The salesman tried to chat up the potential client over coffee.

Variants and Related Words

• Chat (verb): To talk in a friendly, informal way, without the specific romantic or persuasive connotation of "chat up".
• Flirt (verb): To behave as if romantically or sexually attracted to someone, often in a playful way. This focuses more on behavior than conversation.
• Hit on (phrasal verb, informal): A synonym, more common in American English, for attempting to attract someone romantically.

Synonyms

• Flirt with
• Make a pass at
• Hit on (chiefly US)
• Sweet-talk

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Chat away: To talk continuously and freely.
  • They just chatted away for hours.
• Chat back: To answer someone in a rude or cheeky manner.
  • Don't you dare chat back to your teacher!

Related Idioms

• Smooth talker: A person who is skilled at using charming or persuasive language, often in the context of "chatting someone up".
  • Be careful, he's a real smooth talker.

Verb

1. talk to someone with the aim of persuading him
2. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
   • The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
   • My husband never flirts with other women