Hard to Get
Deliberately appearing less available or interested in order to increase another person’s pursuit.
“She liked him but waited days to reply because she was playing hard to get.”
The phrase can describe strategic flirting, genuine caution, or behavior that others interpret as intentionally distant.
Playing hard to get predates the internet by many decades and remains common in dating advice, films, and popular conversation.
playing hard to get
The full common expression.
act unavailable
A plain-language description.
make them chase
A related dating strategy.
Does hard to get work?
Research and experience are mixed; excessive distance can simply signal disinterest or poor communication.
How can you tell strategy from disinterest?
You often cannot without direct communication and consistent behavior over time.