What Does Being on a Thing Mean?

Defining "on a thing" depends on the specific phrase or trend being referenced. In online dating, it usually means someone is involved in a situationship or relationship that does not have clear boundaries or definitions. People often use it when they are seeing someone but do not have an official status or title for what they are doing. It reflects uncertainty about where the relationship stands or what it means to both people.

DTR

DTR stands for Define The Relationship. This is when someone brings up a conversation to figure out where the partnership is heading. Typical questions include "What are we?" or "Where is this going?" Bringing up DTR helps stop confusion by making expectations clear and making sure both sides understand what the partnership is supposed to be. This conversation happens by chat, texting, or face-to-face.

Ghosting

Ghosting means someone suddenly cuts off all communication without any explanation. It can happen early on or after many meetings. The person who does the ghosting stops replying to messages and disappears from contact. This leaves the other person unsure about what happened or why they were ignored. Ghosting is common with online matching and has grown with modern apps and websites.

Breadcrumbing

Breadcrumbing is when a person sends out signals of interest with messages or online reactions while never actually committing to meet or take things further. These interactions keep the other person interested but do not lead to anything real or established. People who receive breadcrumbs may feel confused or hopeful that things will progress, but actual dates or honest conversations rarely happen.

Benching

Benching is when one person keeps another as an option while also pursuing interests in others. The connection is kept alive with occasional contact or minimal effort, but there is no real move towards a relationship. The benched person may wait for things to move forward, but often stays in limbo with no clear future together.

Breadcrumbing and Benching

Both breadcrumbing and benching delay giving a clear answer about commitment. Breadcrumbing usually means small online interactions without plans to meet, while benching keeps a person around as a backup option until a choice is made about starting something new or more serious.

Kittenfishing

Kittenfishing is a way of making oneself seem better or more appealing online by sharing flattering pictures, using filters, or exaggerating skills and hobbies. It is not the same as pretending to be someone else, but it leaves a misleading impression. In many cases, the truth comes out in person, sometimes leading to disappointment.

Cushioning

Cushioning involves keeping several people interested as potential partners while focusing on one main relationship. This is done to avoid feeling lonely if the main connection ends. The people who are part of the cushion do not always know about the other connections. This strategy can cause trust issues if discovered.

Fexting

Fexting refers to arguments that take place through texting instead of talking in person or by phone. The lack of voice tone and immediate feedback can make arguments grow worse. Experts recommend sorting out sensitive topics face-to-face or through a call rather than in writing to avoid confusion.

Future-Proofing

Future-proofing is when people ask important questions about values or long-term interests early in dating to see if they would be a good fit. This often means bringing up topics like career plans or starting a family at the start, instead of waiting until later. Doing this helps reveal large differences and makes the path of the relationship clear.

Hobby Dating

Hobby dating means matching with others who share similar interests, such as music, sports, or games. People list hobbies on their profiles and use them to pick first date activities and topics. This helps start conversations and can make first meetings more comfortable and enjoyable.

Thirst Trap

A thirst trap is a photo that someone posts to attract attention from people who might be interested in them. These pictures are usually chosen for their attractiveness. People use thirst traps to collect likes, comments, or messages. The reactions to thirst traps can depend on who sees them and why they were posted.

Textationship

A textationship is a relationship kept alive almost entirely through text messaging, not face-to-face meetings. The exchange can be romantic, friendly, or sexual, but the main or only connection is through messages. Some people prefer this because it feels more relaxed or less stressful, but they can miss out on the connection that comes from meeting in person.