[Idiom] Idioms meaning "to attempt to gain a friend, lover, etc."

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Olenek

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Hi, :)

There are some idioms meaning to entice someone:

To make a dead set at someone;
To set one’s cap at/ for someone;
To make a play for a person.

Are they heard/ used in your country?
Or do you use other phrases with the same sense?

Many thanks for all your replies! :up:
 

Tdol

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Set your cap may be a little old-fashioned in the UK.
 

riquecohen

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I've heard only "to make a play for" used in AmE. I think it might be a little outdated.
 

freezeframe

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Never heard any of them and have no idea what they mean.

What are these idioms supposed to mean? To pick someone up or hit on them?
 

SanMar

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Make a play sounds a little familiar... maybe related to player or playing the field but it isn't common. I've never heard of the rest.

trying to entice someone?

to hit on someone
make a (my) move... (but this may not be as popular anymore I know it mainly from 80's movies)

You would use these idioms in reference to someone who you are sexually attracted to.

Not a teacher.

:)
 

5jj

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My opinion:

make a dead set at someone: romance/marriage and/or sex.
set one’s cap at/ for someone: mainly romance/marriage; old-fashioned.
To make a play for a person: mainly sex/short-term romance.
hit on someone: mainly sex.
make a (my) move... : I've not heard this one.
come on to someone: mainly sex/short-term romance.
try to get off with: sex.

However, it depends on who says them, and in what contexts.
 

freezeframe

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My opinion:

make a dead set at someone: romance/marriage and/or sex.
set one’s cap at/ for someone: mainly romance/marriage; old-fashioned.
To make a play for a person: mainly sex/short-term romance.
hit on someone: mainly sex.
make a (my) move... : I've not heard this one.
come on to someone: mainly sex/short-term romance.
try to get off with: sex.

However, it depends on who says them, and in what contexts.

I don't think people of my generation or younger distinguish between sex and romance in this way or maybe it's just me. :oops: You pick someone up because you find them attractive.
 

5jj

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I don't think people of my generation or younger distinguish between sex and romance in this way or maybe it's just me. :oops: You pick someone up because you find them attractive.
Or unattractive, if you're hard up.

At least, that's what I hear from the younger generation.
 

SanMar

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Or unattractive, if you're hard up.

At least, that's what I hear from the younger generation.


I don't think this only applies to the younger generation!


Not a teacher.
:)
 

Tdol

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Or unattractive, if you're hard up.

At least, that's what I hear from the younger generation.

No one's unattractive to those wearing lager goggles.
 

SanMar

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No one's unattractive to those wearing lager goggles.

They're called beer goggles here, pretty sure the meaning is the same.

Not a teacher.
:)
 
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