When someone tells you, “I like your lips,” what you respond with will depend on your relationship with the person and how you feel about the compliment.
The two most common meanings behind this remark are that it could be a compliment on the appearance of someone’s lips or it could have sexual undertones.
The best response is to say, “They feel nicer than they look,” especially if you want to playfully and flirtatiously imply your willingness to engage in a lighthearted and flirtatious conversation.
However, if you are not willing to engage in lighthearted banter or flirting with the person, you can use replies like “Thanks, but let’s keep the compliments strictly PG.” as the perfect response.
More often than not, the “I like your lips” compliment suggests a prelude to a more flirtatious or intimate interaction.
But when someone tells you this, it is best to interpret carefully before responding, as it could simply imply an honest attraction or admiration.
Whatever the case may be, the following responses will help you understand what to say and how to express your reaction in words when someone uses this pickup line on you.
Here are 15 Best Responses to “I Like Your Lips”
1. “They feel nicer than they look”
“They feel nicer than they look” is a playful and flirty response to give and works well when you’re willing to further engage in lighthearted banter or flirt. In addition, it evokes confidence and a positive self-image.
You can use this to reply if you like the person who gave the compliment. For example:
Statement: I like your lips
Your response: Thank you. They feel nicer than they look.
If you are willing to take it to another level, you can add a question that pinpoints the intimate action. For example:
Statement: I like your lips
Your response: Thank you. They feel nicer than they look, and there’s only one way to find out.
2. “I like your lips too.”
Sometimes, returning compliments is the best way to respond. By including “too,” it means you admire the person as much as they admire you. This is a neural response, but it can be interpreted as a sign that you are willing to further engage in whatever comes next—most likely a kiss with the person.
For this response, the message heavily relies on your tonality.
Statement: Hey, I like your lips.
Your response: Thanks for the compliment. You know what; I like your lips too.
3. “Maybe we can do something about that later.”
I recommend you reply with “Maybe we can do something about that later” when you are not ready to get intimate with the person at that point. Someone complimenting your lips could mean a lot of things, but this response helps to communicate your willingness to engage further, but not at that point.
It could be a colleague who has a crush on you who says the phrase in the office or when you’re busy. This is the right response to give.
Statement: You know what, I like your lips
Your response: Maybe we can do something about that later. What are you doing this evening?
This sets the ball rolling. But you wouldn’t want to use this with someone you don’t want to get flirty with.
4. “Thanks, I think they’re more fun to use than just look at.”
“Thanks” is a good way to reply to someone who has just complimented you. But if you genuinely want to escalate the intimate undertone of the lips compliment, you can give the impression that you are willing to kiss the person by adding, “I think they’re more fun to use than just look at.”
It may not necessarily imply that you want the person to kiss you. It’s a clever way to keep the lighthearted flirtation going.
Statement: You look gorgeous, I like your lips
Your response: Oh, thanks; I think they’re more fun to use than just look at.
5. “Glad to know someone appreciates them.”
You’d agree with me that genuine compliments boost our self-esteem and confidence. They also keep us motivated and happy. “Glad to know someone appreciates them” is a way to appreciate the person for finding you admirable.
Even though the remark can suggest a lot of things, it generally means the person is trying to demonstrate attraction and care. This response means you are grateful for that.
6. “Maybe you can show me how much.”
Replying with “Maybe you can show me how much” when someone says they like your lips is a flirtatious way to open the doors for more comical and intrusive conversations. But if things go too fast, it could lead to a fulfilling kiss between you both.
You have to be sure this is what you are willing to engage with before using this response.
While it prepares the floor for what’s coming, it could also be an innocent witty way to respond, without you necessarily expecting any intimate activity
7. “I’m glad you noticed; I have been told they have a way with words.”
This is a response that evokes your level of self-confidence. “I’m glad you noticed,” implies that you are flattered by the compliment, whereas “I’ve been told they have a way with words” implies that your lips communicate through action, such as sipping, speaking, or even kissing, and you are proud of your ability to do so.
It is a smart way to respond when someone compliments your lips without subjecting the conversation to its intimate undertones.
For example:
Statement: I do like your lips
Your response: I’m glad you noticed, I have been told they have a way with words
8. “Lips don’t lie.”
If you understand what the person is trying to get at with the compliment and you’re flattered by it, you can use this response to imply that what your lips express to the person is genuine and authentic.
It is a comment on positive self-image. But in fewer words, you are engaging in a high level of repartee.
9. “Kisses on the way!”
“Kisses on the way!” is a response to validate and confirm whatever intimate action is expected to follow after the lip compliment. It means you are appreciative of the compliment, and offering a kiss isn’t a bad idea to show that.
If you feel a form of affection towards the person, and that moment sounds like the perfect time, then this is the perfect response.
10. “I’ll take that as a compliment, thanks!”
When you see the remark as a compliment and nothing more, it would be best to put the reply that way too.
It doesn’t mean you are not sensitive to the signals that the compliment is sending, but only that you’ve chosen to turn a blind eye to them and keep everything formal.
11. “It’s okay to like what you may never taste”
If you consider the compliment inappropriate, you can use this response to reply to the person without making them feel bad. “It’s okay to like what you may never taste” has a rejection undertone, whatever the intent behind the compliment is.
I recommend using this when you don’t think the setting and context are appropriate for such a flirtatious conversation.
It is also a witty comeback to give when you play hard-to-get.
12. “Thanks, but compliments should be strictly PG.”
By first saying “thanks,” it means you are thankful for the compliment. Then urging the person to keep the compliments strictly PG means that you would prefer if the interaction between the two of you remained appropriate or casual.
This is the perfect response for when you want to imply your preference for maintaining a certain level of professionalism in your conversation with the person.
Statement: I like your lips
Your response: Thanks, but let’s keep the compliments strictly PG. Nice try.
13. “Thank you, but I know where this is going.”
“Thank you, but I know where this is going” is a great response to the lip compliment when you are aware of the potential implication or intimate connotation of the remark. It is also a polite way to express your discomfort about the direction of the conversation.
Statement: I like your lips
Your response: Thank you, but I know where this is going. Let’s talk about something else.
The reply can be used to smartly steer the conversation away from anything that could be inappropriate.
14. “Lips have feelings too, you know.”
When said incorrectly, the lip’s compliment can come across as impolite. If you do not appreciate being objectified or reduced to just a physical attribute, you can communicate that using this response.
By saying “lips have feelings,” you let the person know that you’d like to be treated with respect and sensitivity.
Statement: I like your lips.
Your response: Lips have feelings too, you know. Can’t you compliment me on my values?
Many people use the “lips” compliment as a pick-up line, but it often comes off as annoying. If you feel that way, then this is the right response.
15. “What do you mean?”
I mentioned earlier that someone saying “I like your lips” can suggest a lot of things. If you are unsure about the context or intent behind the compliment about your lips, there is no harm in asking.
Statement: I like your lips
Your response: You like my lips? What do you mean?
The person’s response to your question will probably give you a clearer idea of how to respond.
The Takeaway
Generally speaking, “I like your lips” can be considered a compliment. It means the person admires your appearance.
But when you consider how specific that compliment is, it suggests sexual undertones or that the person is creating the right conversational environment that will allow for a kiss.
Before using any of the suggested responses above, it would be best to consider the relationship you have with the person, the context, and the tone of the person.