You know the vibe: the “wyd” that hits at 11:43pm, the 👀 emoji reply to your Story, or the text that just says “you up?”—no punctuation, no context, maximum chaos.
Welcome to the slang of the DMs, where online flirting gets cryptic, casual, and completely its own language.
These aren’t pickup lines. These are texted signals—microphrases, emoji codes, and tone-read landmines—that play out in Snapchat threads, IG replies, and private messages where the line between friendly and flirty is vibes-only.
💌 What This Post Covers
In this post, you’ll learn:
- The most common slang and phrases used in DMs and chat flirting
- What they mean in different platforms (IG, Snap, iMessage, etc.)
- Trend-adjacent slang that shows up around flirting (cultural layering)
- How tone, timing, and emoji can change the whole message
📱 Where You’ll Hear DM Slang
- Instagram DMs: Story replies, thirst reacts, typing-then-deleting drama
- Snapchat chats: Bitmoji wars, late-night filters, “send streak?”
- Texting: The mysterious short reply, the perfectly timed meme
- TikTok comments: Reactions like “he understood the assignment 😩” that lead straight to the DMs
DM slang is short, suggestive, often unspoken—and always strategic.
🔑 Common DM Flirting Slang & Phrases
WYD
Means: “What are you doing?” Usually casual… or not.
“WYD 👀” at 10:30pm = vibes detected.
⏳ It’s the default opener for testing interest.
You Up?
Means: Classic late-night message. Flirty, thirsty, or both.
“You up?” from your crush hits different at 12:12am.
🌙 A meme at this point—but still wildly effective.
Lowkey / Highkey
Means: A subtle (or very not subtle) admission
“Lowkey miss you.” / “Highkey want to link.”
🔥 Flirting in lowercase.
👀 Emoji
Means: I see you / I’m interested / I’m waiting for your move
🔍 Sometimes says more than words can.
Soft Launch
Means: Subtly posting about a crush or someone new
“Posted their shoe in your Story = soft launch.”
📤 The modern version of “talking.”
Lurking
Means: Watching someone’s stories, liking their posts, but not messaging
“He’s been lurking since March but never slid in.”
👻 Often a pre-flirt move or emotional hesitation.
Slide / Slide In
Means: To enter someone’s DMs with flirty intent
“I might slide after she posts that selfie.”
🛷 Simple, bold, universal.
Thirst Trap
Means: A flirty pic posted to get attention
🔥 May lead directly to DMs.
Link / Link Up
Means: To meet up in real life (implied flirt or date)
“Wanna link later?” can mean Netflix… or not.
📍Vague by design.
Dry Texting
Means: Giving boring or minimal replies
“I flirted and she hit me with ‘lol.’ Dry texter alert.”
🥱 The biggest vibe-killer.
Typing… Then Not Sending
Means: A whole relationship in 5 seconds
🫣 The digital version of an almost-confession.
📋 Summary Table
| Term | Meaning | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| WYD | “What are you doing?” | “WYD 👀” at night = flirty tone |
| You Up? | Late-night check-in (suggestive) | “You up?” = universal DM move |
| Lowkey/Highkey | Subtle or bold emotional hint | “Lowkey thinking about you.” |
| 👀 | I see you / soft flirt | “Reply with 👀 = green light” |
| Soft Launch | Subtle social post showing someone new | “Just soft launched my situationship” |
| Lurking | Watching without engaging | “Been lurking since March…” |
| Slide In | Start a DM with flirty intent | “Should I slide?” |
| Thirst Trap | Flirty pic or post to get attention | “This selfie is a certified thirst trap” |
| Link / Link Up | Suggest meeting IRL | “Wanna link after work?” |
| Dry Texting | Boring, effort-free replies | “Said ‘ok.’ He’s dry texting. I’m out.” |
| Typing then ghosting | Flirt-fumble in real-time | “He typed for 8 seconds… then nothing.” |
🧩 Cultural Layering: Trendy Terms You’ll See Around the DMs
These aren’t always DM-only, but they show up everywhere in flirty chats:
- “Rizz” / “Zero rizz” – Flirting game (or lack thereof)
- “She’s mother” / “He’s him” – Extreme hype talk
- “Soft era / toxic era” – Emotional phases mid-flirt
- “Hard launch” – Fully posting your partner publicly
- “Delulu” – Fantasizing they’re into you when they’re not
- “It’s giving…” – Descriptive flirting (“It’s giving future boyfriend”)
These keep the flirty vibe alive even when it’s mostly just screenshots and vibes.
🤝 Using DM Slang Without the Ick
- ✅ Keep it short, warm, and playful
- ❌ Don’t overdo emojis or switch tones too fast
- 🧠 Read the vibe: a “👀” after ghosting someone = yikes
- 🧼 No shame in using “you up?”—just… own it
DM slang thrives on suggestion, not precision. Say less, mean more.
Related Posts on StreetSlang.com
- The Rizz Revolution: Gen Z’s Charm Offensive
- Mental Health Slang
- Main Character Energy
Wrap up of DM Slang
Flirting in the DMs is less about pickup lines and more about vibe checks. Whether it’s a well-timed “wyd” or a chaotic 👀 at 12:03am, this slang reflects a whole culture of soft risk, emotional decoding, and emoji-powered tension.
So next time you see someone “typing…” and then nothing?
Just know: you’re living the language.
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