flirt

flirt with (someone or something)

1. To interact with someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest. I think Stacy's boyfriend was flirting with me at the bar. Should I tell her? After flirting with each other for months, Dan and Mary are finally going on a date.
2. To consider something, especially briefly or without earnestness. The business tycoon has flirted with running for public office for many years, but has yet to pursue it. I've been flirting with the idea of moving to Europe lately. I would need to save up a bit more money to make it happen, though.
3. To come very close to some outcome or result, often (though not always) a very bad one. The CEO has been flirting with disaster with her off-the-cuff comments to the press lately. The up-and-coming golf pro has flirted with success over the past few years, but he's yet to manage a major tour victory.
See also: flirt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flirt with someone

to tease or trifle with someone alluringly. Are you flirting with me? Everyone knows that married men aren't supposed to flirt with anyone.
See also: flirt

flirt with the idea of doing something

Fig. to think about doing something; to toy with an idea; to consider something, but not too seriously. (See also flirt with someone.) I flirted with the idea of going to Europe for two weeks. Jane flirted with the idea of quitting her job.
See also: flirt, idea, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • flirt with
  • flirt with (someone or something)
  • flirt with the idea of doing
  • play footsie
  • play footsie with
  • play footsie with someone
  • play footsie(s) (with someone)
  • mattress mambo
  • nob
  • hobnob with
References in periodicals archive
'Flirting is risky but that's half of the fun of it!' says the Canadian flirt guru, who is based in Sheffield.
Living: FLIRT your way to the top LIVING FAMILY AFFAIRS; Flirt school is coming to Birmingham. Will no-one be safe? Lifestyle Editor ZOE CHAMBERLAIN picks up some tips
Women are often touted as the better flirts. They're subtle and seductive, and can say so much with something as little as a wink or a smile.
Are We Shameless or Harmless Flirts? Queendom Releases Results of Their Flirting Study
Some people are born flirts who effortlessly catch their target's eye across a crowded room, flutter their eyelashes and seduce with some witty repartee.
Flirt like a SEX AND THE CITY Gal; By Lisa Salmon
A self-confessed flirt herself, Elizabeth says that when she was made redundant she sat down and thought about what she was good at - and came up with "Rapport Unlimited: flirting for business and pleasure".
Mastering a Tyne tease
How to use the skill to flirt: ``A confident, even cynical use of eye contact can be used to challenge the person you're particularly interested in to respond.
TOP TIPS FOR FLIRTY SOMETHINGS
And if I were serious, I wouldn't flirt in public and be so open about it.
I'm sick of my man flirting with other women
News has it that the actor allegedly flirted with young actress and pop singer, Selena Gomez.
Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom Divorce Update: Actor Flirts with Selena Gomez, Revenge to Kerr's Flirting with Justin Bieber?
"I just think everyone flirts, every single day, whether you just touch someone to say hey, it's a bit of a flirt," Imogen said.
Imogen debuts retro-style crimped hair while discussing workplace flirting
WORKERS are more likely to flirt with their boss to get promotion than they were a few years ago, with men most willing to date a colleague, according to a new report.
Promotion flirting is back in fashion, but it's mainly men
One in ten British workers would flirt with the boss to gain a promotion, according to a survey.
Workers who flirt for promotion
The 19-year-old from Wallsey, is a strong believer in the power of a good flirt at work.
Office pull-itics; Caroline Storah finds out why it's fun to flirt at work
One in five of those polled by Top Sante magazine said she would flirt with the boss to boost her job prospects and 12pc claimed it had gained them promotion.
THE UK TODAY: Women like to flirt at work
Once-closeted pop stars who are now out recall that their own labels never wanted them to flirt with sexual ambiguity, even in the best of times.
Rickygate