📖 “On the Make: Chasing Gains or Charming Hearts”
on the make, to be - Actively seeking personal gain of some kind (financial, social, or the like); also, specifically looking for sexual conquest.
Definition: An American slang expression originating in the second half of the nineteenth century, it initially referred to financial gain, vividly captured in Sir James Barrie’s play, What Every Woman Knows (1918): “There are few more impressive sights in the world than a Scotsman on the make.” Its interpretation expanded in the 1920s and 1930s to include the pursuit of romantic or sexual conquest.
Similar Terms/Expressions:
- Go-Getter - A person who works very hard and who wants very much to succeed.
- Gold Digger - Slang for someone who forms relationships for financial gain.
- Climber - One who aims for social promotion.
- Casanova - A man known for seducing women.
Proverbs and Quotes:
- “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” - Samuel Goldwyn
- “We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” - Theodore Roosevelt
- “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” - Friedrich Nietzsche, applicable to staying motivated while on the make.
Books, Movies, and Songs:
Books:
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – A story ripe with characters “on the make,” seeking wealth or social dominance in Jazz Age America.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – For those on the make in social terms.
Movies:
- The Wolf of Wall Street – A financial adventurer on the ultimate quest for riches.
- Fatal Attraction – A portrayal of someone attempting romantic conquest, albeit with dire consequences.
Songs:
- Gold Digger by Kanye West (feat. Jamie Foxx) – Captures the gold-digger aspect of being on the make.
- Material Girl by Madonna – Materialism’s anthem for those pursuing wealth.
Inspirational Thought:
Whether it’s striving for financial success or romantic conquests, remember the words of Sir James Barrie: “Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.” May your pursuits be fueled not only by ambition but also by kindness and integrity.
More than simply humorous or entertaining, idioms like “on the make” colorfully reveal human motivations and cultural evolutions. Keep discovering and let your search for wisdom and poetry make your life richly enjoyable—perhaps even where you least expect!
Farewell from Lexi Lingo: In your journey of life, may you be “on the make” for the best in wisdom, humor, and insight. Keep climbing and smiling!
