make a pass at (one)
To make sexual advances toward or propositions to one; to hit on one. Do you think she was making a pass at me, or was she just being nice? I'm tired of complete strangers making a pass at me when I go out.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
make a pass at someone
to flirt with or suggest sexual activity with someone. Can you believe it? Larry made a pass at me! No one ever makes a pass at me.
make a pass at something
to fly over or close by something. The plane made a pass at the landing field and pulled up at the last minute. The bird made a pass at me because I got too close to its nest.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
make a pass at
1. Flirt or make advances to someone, especially of a sexual nature, as in "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses" (Dorothy Parker, Not So Deep As A Well, 1936). [1920s]
2. Also,
take a pass at. Make an attempt, as in
I've made a pass at opening it but had no luck, or
Jake, will you take a pass at changing the oil? This usage employs
pass in the sense of a "jab" or "poke." [
Colloquial; 1900s] Also see
make a stab at.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
make a pass at
make an amorous or sexual advance to.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017