chat up

British  

verb

1. to talk flirtatiously to (a person), esp with the intention of seducing him or her

2. to talk persuasively to (a person), esp with an ulterior motive

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chat up Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

Raf calls Jacob, who has been separated from the gang and is chatting up a girl in a pub, and urges him to come join a brawl that threatens.

From The Wall Street Journal

He remained on stage in the VIP section long after the ceremony ended, chatting up Dodgers broadcasting legend Jaime Jarrín and others, instead of trying to mix with the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

Eventually, he discovered a dog park in Valley Village without any signs prohibiting parking for a certain amount of time, so he’d post up there, playing guitar, practicing yoga and chatting up the locals.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday, the day Biden stopped at a Sheetz market on a western Pennsylvania campaign swing, buying snacks, posing for photos and chatting up patrons and employees.

From Seattle Times

The smallness of Cairo, she said, allows her to see patients as they grow — chatting up the kids when the mothers or siblings come for appointments.

From Salon