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

   she felt a cold coming on

   a new bowler has come 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. 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. to make a forceful or exaggerated impression

11. 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, noun use of verb phrase come on

Idioms and Phrases

Move forward, progress, develop. For example, We stopped as soon as darkness began to come on . [Early 1600s]

Hurry up, as in Come on now, it's getting late . This imperative to urge someone forward has been so used since about 1450.

Also, come upon . Meet or find unexpectedly, as in We came on him while walking down the street , or I came upon an old friend in the bookstore today . [Second half of 1700s]

Make a stage entrance, as in After the next cue she comes on from the right . [Early 1800s]

Please oblige me, as in Come on, that's no excuse for leaving , or Come on, you'll really like this restaurant . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

Convey a specific personal image, as in He comes on like a go-getter but he's really rather timid . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Also, come on strong . Behave or speak in an aggressive way, as in Take it easy; you're coming on awfully strong . [c. 1940]

Also, come on to . Make sexual advances, as in She reported her boss for coming on to her . This usage probably was derived from the earlier use of the noun come-on for a sexual advance. [ Slang ; 1950s]

Example Sentences

But “Fumbling” is also home to one of McLachlan’s lightest tunes in “Ice Cream,” a flirty come-on that compares a lover to that frozen dessert.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Lick my legs, I’m on fire / Lick my legs of desire,” Harvey shrieks without accompaniment to end this pile-driving blues-punk come-on — perhaps her most unflinching vocal performance in a career overflowing with them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When you use Facebook Messenger these days, a new prompt greets you with this come-on: “Ask Meta AI anything.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“An American in Paris”: “It’s jet-propelled New Year’s Eve and everyone in Paris will be there,” says Gene Kelly to Nina Foch — well, who could resist a come-on like that?

Read more on Seattle Times

This advertising come-on makes you think you are getting a good deal, but you pay for the product and receive the rebate only after the purchase is complete.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• teaser