hit on

Make romantic advances toward

Hit on means to make a romantic or sexual advance toward someone, typically through flirtatious conversation: Some guy was hitting on me at the bar.

The phrase implies directness that may or may not be welcome.

A separate sense means to discover or think of: We finally hit on a solution.

flirtation

pickup line

Rehearsed flirtation attempt

advanceMove or progress forward
propositionStatement expressing a judgment
flirtPlayfully attract attention

cruise · chat up · make a move · smooth talk · woo · court · pursue · approach · seduce · overture

discovery

stumble upon

Find unexpectedly

chance uponFind unexpectedly
findLocate through effort
uncoverReveal what's hidden

discover · strike · come across · happen upon · realize · figure out · arrive at · luck into · serendipity · eureka

attack

strike

Forceful impact or stoppage

assaultViolent offensive act
targetObject of pursuit
go afterChase or seek

single out · lash out · beat · pummel · batter · pound · wallop · slug · punch · smack

Opposites

romantic/sexual pursuit

hit onreject

Dismiss as unsuitable

rebuff · brush off · spurn · give the cold shoulder · friend-zone

social attention

hit onignore

Refuse to notice

disregard · overlook · look right through · tune out · blank

response to attraction

hit onhold back

Prevent forward movement

say nothing · play it cool

Family

hit, on, hitting, hits, hitman, hitter, hitmen, hitters, hitmaker

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG