COME-ON Definition & Meaning

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come-on

[kuhm-on, -awn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Slang.

inducement; lure.

come on

verb

(of power, a water supply, etc) to become available; start running or functioning
to make or show progress; develop
my plants are coming on nicely
to advance, esp in battle
to begin
she felt a cold coming on
a new bowler has come on
theatre to make an entrance on stage
to be considered, esp in a court of law
(preposition) See come upon
1. hurry up!
2. cheer up! pull yourself together!
3. make an effort!
4. don't exaggerate! stick to the facts!
to attempt to give a specified impression
he came on like a hard man
to make a forceful or exaggerated impression
informal��to make sexual advances to

noun

informal��anything that serves as a lure or enticement

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of come-on¹

1895–1900, noun use of verb phrase come on

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Idioms and Phrases

Move forward, progress, develop. For example, We stopped as soon as darkness began to come on . [Early 1600s]

Hurry up, as in Come on now, it's getting late . This imperative to urge someone forward has been so used since about 1450.

Also, come upon . Meet or find unexpectedly, as in We came on him while walking down the street , or I came upon an old friend in the bookstore today . [Second half of 1700s]

Make a stage entrance, as in After the next cue she comes on from the right . [Early 1800s]

Please oblige me, as in Come on, that's no excuse for leaving , or Come on, you'll really like this restaurant . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

Convey a specific personal image, as in He comes on like a go-getter but he's really rather timid . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Also, come on strong . Behave or speak in an aggressive way, as in Take it easy; you're coming on awfully strong . [c. 1940]

Also, come on to . Make sexual advances, as in She reported her boss for coming on to her . This usage probably was derived from the earlier use of the noun come-on for a sexual advance. [ Slang ; 1950s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But “Fumbling” is also home to one of McLachlan’s lightest tunes in “Ice Cream,” a flirty come-on that compares a lover to that frozen dessert.

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“Lick my legs, I’m on fire / Lick my legs of desire,” Harvey shrieks without accompaniment to end this pile-driving blues-punk come-on — perhaps her most unflinching vocal performance in a career overflowing with them.

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When you use Facebook Messenger these days, a new prompt greets you with this come-on: “Ask Meta AI anything.”

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“An American in Paris”: “It’s jet-propelled New Year’s Eve and everyone in Paris will be there,” says Gene Kelly to Nina Foch — well, who could resist a come-on like that?

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This advertising come-on makes you think you are getting a good deal, but you pay for the product and receive the rebate only after the purchase is complete.

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Related 51�Թ�s

teaser��

come off it come one's way

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