chat (someone) up

chat (someone) up

1. To engage someone in lighthearted banter or casual conversation. I love chatting up tourists visiting our city, it gives you such diverse and interesting perspectives!2. To engage in flirtatious conversation with someone, usually in pursuit of romantic or sexual purposes. I was chatting up this cute guy at the bar last night and managed to get his phone number! I hate when people chat me up in bars. I just want to have a nice time out with my friends!See also: chat, up

chat up

1. Talk flirtatiously to, as in Leave it to Charlie to chat up the girls. This usage is mostly but not entirely British. [Late 1800s] 2. Engage in light, friendly talk, as in He was soon chatting up all the board members. [Mid-1900s] See also: chat, up

chat up

v.1. To engage someone in light, casual talk, especially in order to gain his or her favor: The salesperson chatted us up for an hour before we finally decided to buy something. I chatted up the director, hoping to get a part in the film.2. To talk amorously to someone, usually without serious intentions; flirt with someone: Many people go to the bar just to chat up the attractive bartenders. By their false smiles, we could tell they were coming over to chat us up.See also: chat, up