Is 'chat up' only about romance?

Primarily, but it can be used for any situation where friendly talk has an ulterior motive (e.g., sales, networking).

Can I separate 'chat' and 'up'?

Yes, it's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'chat someone up' or 'chat up someone'.

Is it rude to say someone is 'being chatted up'?

Not rude, but informal. It can be neutral or slightly humorous depending on context.

What's the noun form?

"Chat-up" (hyphenated) as in "a chat-up line" (a prepared remark to start a flirtatious conversation).

Is “chat up” formal?

Chat up is usually informal, colloquial in register.

How do you pronounce “chat up”?

Chat up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

chat up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/US/ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/

Informal, colloquial

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “chat up” mean?

To talk to someone in a friendly or flattering way, often with romantic or sexual interest.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

To talk to someone in a friendly or flattering way, often with romantic or sexual interest.

To engage someone in conversation with the aim of creating a romantic or personal connection; can also refer to persuasive or ingratiating talk in non-romantic contexts (e.g., chatting up a potential client).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

More common in British English. American English prefers "hit on," "flirt with," or "pick up."

Connotations

British: neutral to slightly playful. American: may sound British or quaint.

Frequency

High frequency in UK informal speech; lower in US, where it may be recognized but less used.

Grammar

How to Use “chat up” in a Sentence

chat up [sb]chat [sb] up

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

try to chat upsuccessfully chat upchat up line

medium

chat up someone at a partychat up the barmanchat up a stranger

weak

chat up beautifullychat up awkwardlychat up relentlessly

Examples

Examples of “chat up” in a Sentence

verb

British English

He spent the whole evening trying to chat up my sister.
She chatted him up at the pub last Friday.

American English

He was totally chatting her up at the bar.
I saw you chatting up the new intern.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare; if used, means to schmooze or butter up a client.

Academic

Not used.

Everyday

Common in social/dating contexts.

Technical

Not used.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “chat up”

Strong

hit on pick up

Neutral

flirt withtalk to

Weak

engage in conversationstrike up a conversation with

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “chat up”

ignore snub brush off

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “chat up”

Using without object: ✗ 'He was chatting up.' → ✓ 'He was chatting her up.'
Using in formal writing.
Confusing with 'chat' (neutral conversation).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Primarily, but it can be used for any situation where friendly talk has an ulterior motive (e.g., sales, networking).
: Yes, it's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'chat someone up' or 'chat up someone'.
: Not rude, but informal. It can be neutral or slightly humorous depending on context.
: "Chat-up" (hyphenated) as in "a chat-up line" (a prepared remark to start a flirtatious conversation).
: To talk to someone in a friendly or flattering way, often with romantic or sexual interest.
: Chat up is usually informal, colloquial in register.
: Chat up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæt ˌʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“chat-up line”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a cat (chat) jumping UP to get attention—just like someone trying to get someone's romantic attention.

Conceptual Metaphor

ROMANTIC INTEREST IS A VERBAL GAME / PERSUASION IS A PERFORMANCE

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

At the conference, he spent most of his time potential investors.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses 'chat up' correctly?