Cushioning
BehaviorKeeping flirty side-conversations going while in a relationship as a safety net.
What it means
Cushioning is the practice of maintaining flirty backup options — sliding into DMs, keeping ex-flames on a slow simmer — while officially in a committed relationship. The 'cushion' is the soft landing if the main relationship ends. It's a common precursor to actual cheating and a form of low-grade infidelity in itself.
Related terms
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