come-on

[ kuhm-on, -awn ]

noun

, Slang.

1. inducement; lure.

come on

verb

1. (of power, a water supply, etc) to become available; start running or functioning
2. to make or show progress; develop

   my plants are coming on nicely

3. to advance, esp in battle
4. to begin

   a new bowler has come on

   she felt a cold coming on

5. theatre to make an entrance on stage
6. to be considered, esp in a court of law
7. preposition See come upon
8. come on!
   1. hurry up!
   2. cheer up! pull yourself together!
   3. make an effort!
   4. don't exaggerate! stick to the facts!
9. to attempt to give a specified impression

   he came on like a hard man

10. come on strong
    to make a forceful or exaggerated impression
11. come on to informal.
    to make sexual advances to

noun

1. informal.
   anything that serves as a lure or enticement

Word History and Origins

Origin of come-on¹

1895–1900, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase come on

Example Sentences

The smell of the unkosher come-on was not unknown to the less-than-petite Conrad honker.

From The Daily Beast

The scenario of the unwanted sexual come-on is far from unusual.

From The Daily Beast

Take my way of it,” says he, “and come on-by with the rest of us here to Rotterdam.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll tell ye—you put me wise to a whole lot more stuff, and I'll frame up another come-on.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, oh, why, do cheap skates sell gold bricks and good come-on men waste their talents on Broadway!

From Project Gutenberg

From the lips of the Mud Turtle, who had silently joined the group, came a come-on verdict.

From Project Gutenberg

With their body-tremors they are giving the "come-on" signal to the workers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• begin
• come across
• take place