Online Dating

The Cringiest Pick-Up Lines That Actually Work

How good are you with your openers? Are you someone who overthinks the perfect ice breaker or are you one of those who throw the cringiest pick-up lines?

We sometimes focus too much on wooing a woman with a one-liner that we end up forgetting all aspects of our game such as keeping the conversation going and knowing when to walk out.

Some women might even think cheesy pick-up lines are sexist and degrading but isn’t that what all women want? Otherwise all nice guys have their dream girls and the players become the chumps.

Admit it or not, women like such ungentlemanly behavior. That includes pick-up lines that
are extremely corny but work. These things won’t crash and burn especially if you know a good follow up.

In fact, most of the pick-up lines on this list have the backing of female relationship experts. It’s time we dissect them and see why they actually work.

The mistaken conversation opener

mistaken conversation opener

The mistaken conversation opener is like the “have you met” opener. It creates confusion but at the same time breaks the ice.

So the line goes like  “I’m sorry, were you talking to me?” [No.] “Well then, please start.” Basically, you pretend as if you thought the girl is talking to you.

In girl language, this simply means you want to talk to her according to sociologist Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. It also gives the message that you just don’t want to get in her pants.

Timing is key in this pick-up line. There has to be a lull in the current conversation she’s engaged in to be able to pull it off. Otherwise, you might look like a jerk that’s interrupting in a conversation.

It’s best when she’s talking to someone about a topic you are very familiar with. You won’t even feel the challenge of jumping in. Makes it feel more natural too.

It becomes a cringe pick-up line with the wrong person.

The survey

The lines go like this:

‘Do you come here often?’, ‘What’s your sign?’, or ‘what do you think about tattoos on girls?’, ‘did you see the fight outside?”.

Different questions but the bottom line is you’re getting in her line of sight and engaging her in what can potentially be a good talk.

You’re in such a spontaneous and random setting where people are looking for such talk even if it’s just another convoluted story. It also challenges you to test your most interesting story and a witty follow up.


It can also be that you are testing and making fun of generic pick-up lines if you open it up with something up with something like “Hello, I’m doing a survey of what people think are the worst pickup lines.”

That way, you are showing some sense of humor whilst sending a subliminal message of interest. Once you pull this off, you’ll notice that you’ll actually get your answers.

Colorado-based marriage and sex therapist Lisa Thomas verifies this as she saying “ it’s funny without putting pressure on her, she will probably feel more comfortable and be more likely to open up.”

The cringe commitment

Have you ever dropped the Dr. Phil line on a girl? Surprisingly, if you know how to use it, it actually works.

So the next time you think of telling a girl “You know, Dr. Phil says I’m afraid of commitment. Want to help prove him wrong?” Do it just when you are 100% charming enough to pull it off. Otherwise, you’ll come off as Mr. Creepy.

At least you are fake establishing your integrity as a man by digging at players when in fact you are a player yourself by dropping such line.

Regardless, it still passes as cheesy despite the cringe. Just make sure your tone is jokingly rather than a serious creep hitting on a girl.

Relationship expert Wendy Walsh, Ph.D. said that “ Mentioning commitment capitalizes on her desire for a relationship-minded guy.”

Mind you, subtle hits work sometimes.

The blackmail bet

blackmail bet

“I bet you $20 you’re going to turn me down.” Sounds like a cringe pick-up line, right?

This one’s pretty ballsy but if you can pull it off, good for you. It actually works if you’re a charmer. Surprisingly, this obnoxious pick-up line works despite it sounding too obnoxious.

Surprisingly, dropping this pick up line makes you come off as a nice grounded guy. It also gives girls something to ponder with when it comes to their impossible standards.

They wouldn’t admit they like you even if their life depended on it. You have to rub it into them sometimes.

The anti-neg

Negging includes disrespecting the girl instead of letting them know how gorgeous they are.

That’s why it comes as a surprise when you use the line “How does it feel to be the most beautiful girl here?” and actually works.

It’s all about the games in a club setting. That’s why letting her feel like she’s the top catch in the bar will make her feel complimented, according to Walsh.

Relationship book author Tammy Nelson, Ph.D says that “You can never tell a woman often enough that she’s beautiful.” Good thing experts know how to treat a woman right. Choice of words is important though. Don’t use “sexy”or “hot.” They aren’t suitable synonyms according to Nelson.

The superhero

superhero kiss

Instead of singing the Enrique Iglesias song “Hero” to impress a girl with your serenading skills, you go like this:

 “Forget about Spiderman, Superman, and Batman. I’ll be your man.”

This one is another thing that women won’t admit but they simply crave for a man who will save them from whatever bothers them. “Pretty much all women have rescue fantasies,” Walsh says.

Whether it’s the misery of her current relationship or the misery of her single life, she wants those unique kissing scenes you see in Marvel and DC movies.

The obnoxious compliment

obnoxious compliment

When you ask a girl “Besides being gorgeous, what do you do for a living?” it sounds like you’re obnoxiously complimenting a girl. It’s like that high school jock who flexes hitting on that cheerleader with the cringe line.

It works when you’ve got confidence as extreme as a jock. It’s pretty straightforward too as it automatically shows that you’re into the girl you’re talking to.

Like we said, it’s laws of nature for a girl to intentionally not tell you they like what you’re doing to them.