“Slide into DMs” Meaning Explained

May. 21, 2024



If you have been on the internet long enough, then you may have heard the term “slide into DMs” multiple times, either on posts, memes, or people just using it casually. But if you struggle to understand what it means, then you’re in the right place. We will break this phrase down for you and also help you learn different situations where you can use it.

What Does “DMs” Refer To?

What Does “DMs” Refer To?

Let us take a quick detour and first understand the meaning of DMs before we startslidinginto them. DMs are an abbreviation of Direct Messages. This is usually a tab or a page on a social media platform like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter (Now X), or TikTok. Here, you can text someone directly if you want to have a one-on-one conversation with them.Direct Messages on X (Formely Twitter)Direct Messages or DMs on Instagram

“Slide into DMs” is a pretty common internet slang that usuallyrefers to sending a private message to someonewhom you may or may not know. The intent is to start a romantic or intimate conversation with them. It’s considered a bold or flirty thing to do when you are interested in someone. The DMs or Direct Messages let you have a private and more personal conversation with said person.

It’s the online equivalent ofapproaching someone you want to talk to in real life. But the stakes are quite low online. The other person can turn you down or block you if they are not interested.

The term has become so common that it is used in more ways than one. Thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, you may see people use “Slide into DM” when approaching a possible job recruiter. You can even use it to initiate a business collaboration. Or when you want to start a conversation with anyone, even if you are not romantically interested in them.

Your friends can use it casually, like “slide into my DMs and let me know when you are planning for the trip”. I’d say the slang has become so common that it isusually appropriate to use in most casual conversationsthese days. Another variation of this term is “Sliding into the Inbox” sending an email to someone with a possible opportunity.

To help you better understand how you use this term online, we have provided 15 different examples for different scenarios. Take a look at them below.

The phrase can be used in a lot of situations, ranging from professional to personal. However, given this is a slang term, it is best used casually.

That’s all there is to know about the slang term “Slide into DMs”. It goes without saying that you should be respectful of the other person to not offend them. This slang has taken several forms over the years and is now something quite common that you would see thrown around in online, and even real-life conversations as social media has become the go-to way to start an interaction with someone.

If this article helped you learn something new and found it to be helpful, then let us know in the comments below.

As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.