What are the definitions of “chat up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Talk to someone you are sexually interested in to get them interested in you.
He spent the whole night CHATTING her UP.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “chat up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb chat up is to talk to someone you are attracted to in order to gain their interest. It usually involves flirting or engaging in friendly conversation to make a good impression.
What are the different verb forms of “chat up”?
| Root Verb | chat up |
| Third Person Singular Present | chats up |
| Present Participle | chatting up |
| Simple Past | chatted up |
| Past Participle | chatted up |
Example
He tried to chat up the girl at the party.
Example
She chats up the guy she likes at the bar.
Example
He is chatting up the woman he finds attractive.
Example
Last night, she chatted up the handsome man at the club.
Example
He had chatted up several people before meeting his current partner.
What kind of phrasal verb is “chat up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“chat up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She chatted up the guy she met at the party.
Example
He chatted the girl up at the bar.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“chat up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She chatted up the guy she met at the party.
Example
He chatted the girl up at the bar.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “chat up”?
Good things to know
Does “chat up” have an informal or formal tone?
Chat up is an informal phrasal verb, typically used in casual conversations or social settings. It is not appropriate for formal situations or professional contexts.
