make a play for

1. Try to attract someone's interest, especially romantic interest. For example, Bill has been making a play for Anne, but so far it hasn't gotten him anywhere. [Slang; c. 1900]

Example Sentences

While Alito and Thomas seem to have mostly given up on building coalitions, Oldham and Ho could make a play for votes from the new center of the court, which is already very conservative.

From Slate

Harris would be well served to make a play for this audience, or at least to neutralize it as a source of support for her opponent.

From Slate

Apollo was the latest to make a play for Paramount, getting in line behind Ellison’s Skydance, David Zaslav’s Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

“I figured okay, let’s make a play for Heritage Hunt,” Roem explained.

From Salon

The company based in New York City is the latest to make a play for Paramount, getting in line behind David Zaslav’s Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• invite 
• solicit