Definition of flirt with

flirt withphrasal verb

tán tỉnh với

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The origin of the phrase "flirt with" can be traced back to the 16th century, during a time when English was still evolving and borrowing words from other languages. The original meaning of "flirt" was actually "a sudden gust of wind," which came from the Middle Dutch word vlisteren, meaning "to blow." However, by the 18th century, the meaning of "flirt" had shifted to refer to a person who was romantically playful and teasing, particularly when in the presence of members of the opposite sex. This new meaning may have been influenced by the French word flâter, which means "to pay court" or "to court someone's favor." The phrase "flirt with" came into usage around this time as a way to describe the act of engaging in flirtatious behavior or showing romantic interest in someone. It is often used in a milder sense than "flirt," implying a casual or lighthearted approach to flirtation. Overall, the journey of "flirt" and "flirt with" from a wind gust to a romantic gesture is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of language and the important role of borrowing words from other languages in shaping the English vocabulary.

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to think about or be interested in something for a short time but not very seriously

nghĩ về hoặc quan tâm đến điều gì đó trong một thời gian ngắn nhưng không quá nghiêm túc

Example:
  • She flirted with the idea of becoming an actress when she was younger.

    Cô đã ấp ủ ý định trở thành diễn viên khi còn trẻ.

  • She flirted briefly with the idea of telling him the truth.

    Cô thoáng nghĩ đến việc sẽ nói sự thật với anh.

to take risks or not worry about a dangerous situation that may happen

chấp nhận rủi ro hoặc không lo lắng về tình huống nguy hiểm có thể xảy ra

Example:
  • to flirt with danger/death/disaster

    đùa giỡn với nguy hiểm/cái chết/thảm họa