sliding into DMs

Meaning

This expression refers to sending a direct, private message (DM) to someone on social media, often with romantic or flirtatious intent. It implies a casual, confident, and sometimes cheeky approach to starting a conversation online.

Examples

• I can't believe he actually slid into my DMs after we met at the party.

  I can't believe he actually slid into my DMs after we met at the party.

• She decided to slide into his DMs to ask about the concert tickets.

  She decided to slide into his DMs to ask about the concert tickets.

• If you want to get her attention, just slide into her DMs with a funny meme.

  If you want to get her attention, just slide into her DMs with a funny meme.

• He's been sliding into DMs all week but hasn't gotten any replies yet.

  He's been sliding into DMs all week but hasn't gotten any replies yet.

• Sliding into DMs can be risky if you don't know the person at all.

  Sliding into DMs can be risky if you don't know the person at all.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He slid into my direct messages.

  ✓ He slid into my DMs.

  While 'direct messages' is technically correct, native speakers almost exclusively use the abbreviation 'DMs' when using this specific idiom.

• ✗ She slid in my DMs.

  ✓ She slid into my DMs.

  The preposition 'into' is required here to complete the phrasal movement.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Instead of waiting to see him again, she decided to ___.

  💡 Send a private message.

  Show answer

  slide into his DMs

• He's always ___ of local influencers hoping for a response.

  💡 Present continuous form.

  Show answer

  sliding into the DMs