put the make on

• put the moves on

From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).

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

1. (informal, transitive) To pursue with romantic interest, especially in an aggressive, sexually suggestive manner.
   • 1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure

     I met a lesbian friend of Liz's, Dawn, who promptly put the make on me & I figured it's about time I tried it.

   • 1978, "High Steppin' to stardom (Film review of Saturday Night Fever)," Time, 3 Apr.,

     His girl—the one he has been trying unsuccessfully to put the make on—hears the longing and the edge of desperation in his voice and kisses him on the cheek.

• flirt with
• hit on
• hustle (someone)

• on the make