Slide into DMs - meaning and definition
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Definition
To send someone a private direct message (DM) on social media, usually to flirt or start a romantic conversation.
At a glance
- A DM is a direct, private message on social media.
- Sliding into someone's DMs means messaging them privately, often to flirt.
- A single polite message is the norm.
- Repeated messages after no reply, or unsolicited explicit images, cross into harassment.
In detail
A DM is a direct, private message. "Sliding into someone's DMs" means approaching them privately, often after seeing their posts, in the hope of flirting or asking them out.
It can be a charming way to connect, but a single polite message is the norm. Repeated messages to someone who has not replied, or sending unsolicited explicit images, cross into harassment.
In a sentence
- He slid into my DMs after I posted about the concert, and now we're going to the next one together.
- One message is fine, but if she hasn't replied, don't keep sliding into her DMs.
Where the word comes from
The phrase became popular on Twitter and Instagram in the mid-2010s, as direct messaging became a common way to approach someone you only knew online.
Common questions
How do I slide into someone's DMs politely?
Mention something specific you liked about their post, keep it short and friendly, and do not send anything explicit. If they do not reply, take that as an answer and leave it there.
When does a DM become harassment?
When it continues after someone has not responded or has said no, when it is threatening or demeaning, or when it includes sexual images they did not ask for. Most platforms let you block and report such messages.