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

“He said, `Come on, Moon, we’re going to give you a ride to school.’

From Los Angeles Times

The five new arrests come on top of 63 announced by the authorities since the violence.

From BBC

The first qualms might have come on Friday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Yechiel Leiter to be Israel’s new ambassador to the United States.

From Slate

Then I come on with him and we do “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” which is very jazzy.

From Los Angeles Times

"It doesn't feel right that this has come on by pity and like I said it's not easy for people with disabilities to travel and I think it's unfair they'd even ask us to do that."

From BBC

Related Words

• begin
• come across
• take place