on the make

1. Seeking personal gain, as in Tom's a young man on the make—he doesn't care whom he offends . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]

2. Looking for sexual conquest, as in After several affairs, Peter got the reputation of being a man on the make . [ Slang ; c. 1920]

Example Sentences

The jokes skewed towards issues on the Make America Great Again agenda, including poking fun at gender terminology, "woke" young people and National Public Radio.

From BBC

What they saw was a lonely old woman in need of a companion, and a cunning outsider on the make.

From BBC

I confess it was more than a little jarring to see my beloved scatterbrained Mrs. Oliver turned into Fey’s stylish, fast-talking writer on the make.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a business city on the make, with “Bill Luck” — William Boeing and Bill Gates with Microsoft.

From Seattle Times

In the character’s long, tempting lines when he’s on the make, Mattei’s tone is buttery yet airy, as irresistible as it was when he first sang this role at the Met 20 years ago.

From New York Times

Related Words

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