on the make
Idioms-
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]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some Stellantis employees returning to headquarters full-time are getting a rude welcome: Parking tickets based on the make of their car.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
It was a business city on the make, with “Bill Luck” — William Boeing and Bill Gates with Microsoft.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2023
Depending on the make and model of the gun, owners could be compensated from between $1,000 and $2,100, according to a proposed price list.
From Washington Post • Dec. 2, 2022
It’s just what you’d expect from a huckster billionaire who’s always on the make.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2022
Now he regarded Lawrence as a scientist on the make for government largess and personal glory.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
