“Come on” has eleven (!) different meanings?
“Come on!,” I can hear you say.
Actually, that’s definition #1 (see below); the other ten follow:
One. “I don’t believe you”; incredulous. “She never went to class, and aced the final? Come on . . .”
Two. “Hurry up”; admonishing. “The Uber will be here in 5 minutes . . . Come ON!!”
Three. “Try a little harder/you can do it!”; encouraging. The end of the trail is less than one-quarter mile — come on!”
Four. To start to happen or work. “The heating comes on at 6 a.m.”
Five. In confidence; soliciting trust: “Come on, Barb, you can tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”
Six. Sexual advance. “They’d barely gotten back to his apartment before he started coming on to her.”
Seven. Closing the gap, as in a horse race. “With just one length to go, Seabiscuit is coming on.”
Eight. Of a state or condition starting to arrive or happen; health-related. “By later that night, her cold was really coming on.
Nine. Theatre; to make an entrance on stage.
Ten. To make or show progress; develop. “My plants are coming on nicely.”
Eleven. Exclamation of displeasure; “What do you take me for?” Example: “You want to trade your bologna sandwich for my filet mignon? Come on . . .”
See also, ““Shut Up!” Has 9 Different Meanings? Shut Up!! (No, YOU Shut Up!);” “That Bob is a Real Hustler!” Compliment or Insult?”; and “Why is Calling Someone “a Piece of Work’ an Insult?.”
Plus: “Interesting” vs. “I-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g“; “Which “Done” Did They Mean?“; “The Many Guises of “Hot Dog’“; “You’re . . . You’re . . . Such an Almond! (Huh??)“; “Induct” vs. Indict”; and “Re-Duded Home.”
