put on the red light

Refers to the fact that a red light is traditionally placed in the windows of sex-related businesses; compare red-light district.

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put on the red light (third-person singular simple present puts on the red light, present participle putting on the red light, simple past and past participle put on the red light)

1. (idiomatic) To advertise oneself as a prostitute.
   • 1978, “Roxanne”, performed by The Police:

     Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light / Those days are over / You don't have to sell your body to the night