chat up

talk to someone in a flirty way to show you like them romantically

B2

What does "chat sb up" mean?

To chat someone up means to talk to them in a flirtatious way, with the clear intention of showing romantic or sexual interest. The focus is on the conversation itself — the playful, charming, or sometimes clumsy attempts to impress someone — rather than on whether it actually works. You might hear it used when someone is telling a story about a night out: 'He was chatting up this woman at the bar all evening.' It carries a slightly light-hearted or amused tone in British English, and the person doing the chatting up is often gently teased for their efforts. This phrasal verb is strongly associated with British English — American speakers would more typically say 'hit on' or 'flirt with'.

Examples

How to use it

chat up + person

The most common structure, used when the object is a noun phrase rather than a pronoun.

He spent half the night trying to chat up a stranger he'd met near the dance floor.

chat + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, the verb must be separated — the pronoun always goes in the middle.

She was obviously trying to chat him up, but he didn't seem to notice.

get chatted up

The passive form is very natural and often describes the experience of being approached flirtatiously.

He got chatted up by someone at the office party and didn't quite know how to react.

be chatting + person + up

The continuous form is common when describing an ongoing flirtatious conversation in progress.

I looked over and she was chatting him up in the corner of the café — it was pretty obvious.

try to chat + person + up

Frequently used with 'try to' to emphasise the attempt, especially in storytelling about social situations.

My friend tried to chat up a colleague at the team lunch and it was hilariously awkward.

Common Collocations

chat someone up at a bartry to chat someone upget chatted upchat-up linechat up a strangerchat up a girl/guy

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'her', 'him', or 'them', it must go between 'chat' and 'up'. Placing a pronoun after 'up' is not correct in English.

✗ He tried to chat up her at the bar.
✓ He tried to chat her up at the bar.
Confusing 'chat up' with 'chat to/with'

'Chat to' or 'chat with' simply means to have a friendly, casual conversation with no romantic intent. 'Chat up' specifically implies flirtatious interest — using them interchangeably can cause confusion or unintended meaning.

✗ I was just chatting up my neighbour about the weather.
✓ I was just chatting to my neighbour about the weather.
Assuming 'chat up' implies success

'Chat up' describes the flirtatious attempt itself, not the result. It does not mean the person succeeded in getting a date or starting a relationship — you need extra context to show that.

Usage

This phrasal verb is mainly British English; American speakers prefer 'hit on'. It focuses on the act of flirtatious conversation rather than the outcome, and is often used with a light-hearted or humorous tone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chat up' used in American English?

'Chat up' is mainly British English and may sound unfamiliar or old-fashioned to American speakers. In American English, people tend to say 'hit on' or 'flirt with' instead. If you're writing for or speaking to an American audience, those alternatives will feel more natural.

What is a 'chat-up line'?

A chat-up line is a prepared phrase someone uses to start a flirtatious conversation — often something witty, cheesy, or a little ridiculous. For example: 'Do you have a map? I keep getting lost in your eyes.' The term is closely connected to 'chat up' and is very common in British English.

Can 'chat up' be used in the passive?

Yes, the passive is very natural with this phrasal verb. 'Get chatted up' is especially common and describes the experience from the perspective of the person being approached. For example: 'She got chatted up by someone at the gym this morning.'

Does 'chat up' always involve a face-to-face situation?

Not necessarily — it can also describe flirtatious conversation that happens online or over messages. You might say 'He's been chatting her up online for weeks.' The key is that the intent is romantic or flirtatious, regardless of the setting.

Does 'chat up' suggest the conversation was unwanted?

Not automatically — the verb itself is neutral about whether the attention was welcome or not. Context usually makes it clear. If someone says 'she got chatted up and loved it', the tone is positive; 'he kept trying to chat her up even after she walked away' implies it was unwanted.

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