on the make
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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]
Looking for sexual conquest, as in After several affairs, Peter got the reputation of being a man on the make. [Slang; c. 1920]
QUIZZES
THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?
Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
Words nearby on the make
on the level, on the line, on the lines of, on the lookout, on the loose, on the make, on the map, on the mark, on the market, on the mend, on the money
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.