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

And the finale’s cameo appearances by Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller, along with Davis, are an unexpected treat, closing the loop on the make crude jokes and rumors Peacemaker made about Aquaman and other A-list supers, which Momoa and Miller gamely played along with.

From Salon

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

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