put the make on en · VERB
Etymology
From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).
Meanings
-
(informal, transitive) To pursue with romantic interest, especially in an aggressive, sexually suggestive manner.
1978, "High Steppin' to stardom (Film review of Saturday Night Fever)," Time, 3 Apr., His girl—the one he has been trying unsuccessfully to put the make on—hears the longing and the edge of desperation in his voice and kisses him on the cheek.
1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure I met a lesbian friend of Liz's, Dawn, who promptly put the make on me & I figured it's about time I tried it.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| putting the make on | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| put the make on | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| put the make on | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| puts the make on | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| put the moves on | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
hit on · flirt with · hustle
Translations (8)
cmn 騷擾追求 /骚扰追求 (pursue with romantic interest) · nl avances maken (pursue with romantic interest) · fr draguer (pursue with romantic interest) · nl verleiden (pursue with romantic interest) · cmn 色情糾纏 /色情纠缠 (pursue with romantic interest) · fr faire des avances (pursue with romantic interest) · es insinuarse (pursue with romantic interest) · fi iskeä (pursue with romantic interest)