put the make on
verbEtymology From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).
1
Informal 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.
- Related terms
- on the make