Etymology Deverbal from come on to. First use appears c. 1897, in the publications of Edward W. Townsend. See cite below.
1
Informal Something intended to attract, as in an advertisement.
The free offers are just come-ons to get you in the store so the sales staff can work on you.
He's got a come-on from New Jersey that I'm to steer to the turning joint.1897, Edward W. Townsend, Near A Whole City Full, page 164:
2
Informal A statement or sometimes an action reflecting sexual or romantic interest.
I thought he'd asked me to lunch to discuss business; I wasn't expecting a come-on.
I come looking for a job But I get no offers Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue1969, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”, Bridge over Troubled Water, Columbia Records
1 more example
What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.1989, Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally... (motion picture), spoken by Harry Burns (Billy Crystal):
3
Entertainment, Lifestyle, TheaterSlang A bad actor whose talents do not extend far beyond walking onto the stage.
When the public no longer rushed to the box-office to buy such synthetic exaltations of the spirit, pitchmen like Jerome K. Jerome and the aforesaid Kennedy got out their theopathic apparatus and had at the trade with elixirs in which actors, their faces chalked into a pallor exceeding Nicky Arnstein's, were programmed as A Stranger, A Wayfarer, or Manson and, by conducting themselves for the major portion of two hours like overly verbose and objectionable pallbearers, peculiarly persuaded the come-ons that they were replicas of Christ and that the rest of the cast, a bunch of low-lifes, were converted to the faith by them.1975, George Jean Nathan, Charles Angoff, The Theatre Book of the Year, 1942-1943, page 82:
Turning the corner, I came on Julia sitting by the riverbank.
2
To appear on a stage or in a performance.
I think he's coming on too late after my line.
3
To be broadcast (through a device), or (of a broadcast) to begin playing.
I was going to turn off the TV, but my favorite show came on.
A salsa song came on the radio.
4
To progress, to develop; to come along.
The new garden is coming on nicely.
But she looked a lady, Paul declared, as much as Mrs. Major Moreton, and far, far nicer. The family was coming on. Only Morel remained unchanged, or rather, lapsed slowly.1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, “Chapter 10”, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […], →OCLC:
1 more example
Ooh, and it's alright and it's comin' on / We gotta get right back to where we started from / Love is good, love can be strong / We gotta get right back to where we started from1975, Pierre Tubbs, J. Vincent Edwards, “Right Back Where We Started From”, in Right Back Where We Started From, performed by Maxine Nightingale, track 3:
5
To activate; to turn on.
Especially a light Of an electric or electronic device
The light came on as soon as I flicked the switch.
She pressed the power button and waited for the screen to come on.
6
Idiomatic, With to To show sexual or relational interest through words or sometimes actions.
She started coming on to me as soon as my wife left the room.
Wait a minute. Are you like coming on to me? Is this a pass? Because, I mean, if it is, sex is like totally out of the question.1988, Julie Brown, Charlie Coffey, Terrence E. McNally, Earth Girls Are Easy (motion picture), spoken by Valerie (Geena Davis):
1 more example
And so you went with Neve / Oh yeah, and Neve was coming on1992, “Babies”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), His 'n' Hers, performed by Pulp:
Overall, menstrual modernity in the form of a more efficient throwaway technology was seized on and celebrated, as was the opportunity to send your man off to the shop to get it if you came on suddenly.2009, Jenny Diski, “Short cuts”, in London Review of Books, XXXI.20:
8
Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsOf a substitute To enter the playing field.
Blackburn made their third and final substitution with 25 minutes remaining, with Brett Emerton coming on for Dunn as they looked for ways to stem the Newcastle tide.2011 February 12, Nabil Hassan, “Blackburn 0-0 Newcastle”, in BBC:
One of few positives from a Burnley perspective was a first appearance of the season for forward Michael Obafemi, who came on with five minutes remaining after recovering from a long-term hamstring injury2023 November 11, Matthew Howarth, “Arsenal 3-1 Burnley”, in BBC Sport:
9
Informal Elaboration of come (in the sense of move towards the speaker or other focus), emphasising motion or progress, or conveying a nuance of familiarity or encouragement.
By; round; over; up; down; by; round; over; up; down With adverbial words such as in
Don't just stand there on the doorstep. Come on in!
Don't leave without coming on round to see the baby.
4 more examples
You told me to come on over whenever I get the chance, and here I am!
Come on up to my place on the third floor.
Please come on home.
It's coming on Christmas / They're cutting down trees / They're putting up reindeer / And singing songs of joy and peace1971, “River”, performed by Joni Mitchell: