Unlocking 'Flirt with': Meanings, Usage, and Examples

The English language is rich with phrasal verbs, and understanding them can significantly boost your fluency. Today, we're diving deep into the versatile phrasal verb Flirt with. While it might first bring romantic notions to mind, "Flirt with" has several meanings that extend beyond just amorous behavior. This English expression can describe considering an idea or even brushing against danger. In this post, you'll learn the various meanings of Flirt with, see its grammatical structure, explore related synonyms, and test your understanding with a fun quiz. Let's get started!

Table of Contents

• What Does Flirt with Mean?
• Structure with Flirt with
• Related Phrases and Synonyms
• Practice Time!
• Conclusion

What Does Flirt with Mean?

The phrasal verb Flirt with is a fascinating and versatile English expression because its meaning can shift quite dramatically depending on the context. At its core, it generally implies a light, not entirely serious, or tentative engagement with someone or something. This could manifest as a playful interaction designed to show romantic interest, a brief or superficial consideration of an idea or plan, or even a risky dalliance where one comes close to danger without fully succumbing to it. Recognizing the subtle cues in the sentence is key to understanding which shade of meaning is intended when you encounter or use Flirt with.

More: Fire Away: Mastering the English Phrasal Verb

Structure with Flirt with

Understanding how to correctly structure sentences using Flirt with is key to using it naturally. This phrasal verb is transitive, meaning it usually requires an object. Learning the various Flirt with examples and structures will help you master its usage. Let's explore its common meanings and sentence structures.

Meaning 1: To behave as though sexually attracted to someone, but playfully or not seriously.

This is perhaps the most common and widely understood meaning of Flirt with. It describes actions, words, or body language intended to attract someone romantically or signal interest, often in a light-hearted, charming, or teasing manner. The intention is usually not to make a serious commitment immediately but to test the waters or enjoy a playful interaction. This form of flirting with someone can involve compliments, witty banter, suggestive looks, or playful touching.

• Structure: Subject + flirt with + [someone]
• Example 1: He spent the entire party trying to flirt with Sarah, complimenting her smile and making her laugh.
• Example 2: She enjoys flirting with the barista, hoping for a friendly smile or maybe an extra shot of espresso.

Meaning 2: To consider an idea or possibility, but not seriously or with full commitment.

Here, Flirt with means to entertain an idea, concept, or potential course of action, but without genuine intent to follow through or with only a superficial level of consideration. It's like trying on an idea to see how it feels, without any obligation to buy. People often flirt with ideas that represent a significant change or a departure from their current path, making this a common way to use Flirt with.

• Structure: Subject + flirt with + the idea of + [verb-ing / noun phrase]
• Example 1: She flirted with the idea of moving to Paris for a year to study art, but never actually filled out any applications.
• Example 2: John flirted with vegetarianism for a month, reading a few articles and trying some recipes, before deciding he missed bacon too much.

Meaning 3: To experience something dangerous or undesirable for a short time, or to come close to it.

This usage of Flirt with implies a risky situation where one narrowly avoids negative consequences or experiences a taste of something unpleasant without being fully consumed by it. It suggests being on the verge of trouble, failure, or harm. This meaning often carries a sense of recklessness or a close call.

• Structure: Subject + flirt with + [danger/disaster/death/failure/etc.]
• Example 1: The speeding car flirted with disaster as it swerved at the last second to avoid the oncoming truck.
• Example 2: After losing his main client, the small business flirted with bankruptcy for several months before securing new funding.

Meaning 4: To show a superficial or passing interest in a subject or activity.

This meaning is similar to considering an idea (Meaning 2) but can also apply to dabbling in a hobby, academic subject, or any activity without deep involvement or sustained effort. It indicates a lack of serious commitment or a temporary engagement that doesn't lead to expertise or significant progress. Using Flirt with this way highlights a lack of depth in engagement.

• Structure: Subject + flirt with + [a subject/activity/hobby]
• Example 1: He flirted with learning the guitar during college, picking it up occasionally but never progressing beyond a few basic chords.
• Example 2: The politician flirted with more progressive policies during the election campaign but reverted to a conservative stance once in office.

More: Understanding the Phrasal Verb: How to Use Follow up Correctly

Related Phrases and Synonyms

Expanding your vocabulary with synonyms and related phrases will help you express these ideas more precisely. Here are some alternatives to Flirt with, depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

It's important to note that while these words share some similarities with "Flirt with," they each carry their own nuances. For instance, "hit on" is generally more direct and less playful than "flirt with" in a romantic context. "Court danger" is a more formal and often more serious way of saying "flirt with danger." Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication and choosing the most appropriate phrasal verb or synonym.

More: Understanding the Phrasal Verb: How to Use 'Finish up' Correctly

Practice Time!

Let's check your understanding of "Flirt with"! Choose the best answer for each question.

Question 1: Which sentence uses "Flirt with" to mean considering an idea without serious commitment? a) The daredevil seemed to flirt with death during his stunts. b) Sarah loves to flirt with her friends by telling jokes. c) Mark flirted with the idea of starting his own business. d) The kitten flirted with the dangling string.

Correct answer: c

Question 2: "The company flirted with bankruptcy before the new CEO turned things around." In this sentence, "flirted with" means: a) To behave as though sexually attracted to bankruptcy. b) To consider bankruptcy playfully. c) To come close to experiencing bankruptcy. d) To show superficial interest in bankruptcy.

Correct answer: c

Question 3: Which of the following is the closest synonym for "flirt with" when referring to a romantic interest? a) Ignore b) Tease playfully c) Argue with d) Criticize

Correct answer: b

Question 4: "She only flirted with learning Spanish; she never became fluent." What does this imply? a) She was very serious about learning Spanish. b) She spoke Spanish fluently after a short time. c) She showed a superficial or passing interest in learning Spanish. d) She found a Spanish-speaking romantic partner.

Correct answer: c

Conclusion

Understanding and using the phrasal verb Flirt with correctly can add a layer of sophistication and nuance to your English. As we've seen, its meaning can range from playful romantic interaction to tentatively considering ideas or even brushing with danger. By grasping its different meanings, structures, and related synonyms, you're better equipped to comprehend and use English in a more natural and expressive way. Keep practicing these phrasal verb examples, and you'll soon find yourself using "Flirt with" and other phrasal verbs with confidence!