put the make on

English

Alternative forms

• put the moves on

Etymology

From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).

Verb

put the make on (third-person singular simple present puts the make on, present participle putting the make on, simple past and past participle put the make on)

1. (informal, transitive) To pursue with romantic interest, especially in an aggressive, sexually suggestive manner.
   • 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.

   • 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.

Synonyms

• flirt with
• hit on
• hustle (someone)

Related terms

• on the make

Translations

pursue with romantic interest

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: please add this translation if you can

• Dutch: verleiden (nl), avances maken
• Finnish: iskeä (fi)
• French: draguer (fr), faire des avances (fr)
• Spanish: insinuarse (es)