make unwanted advances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make unwanted advances" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe inappropriate or unwelcome attempts at romantic or sexual attention towards someone. Example: "She felt uncomfortable when he began to make unwanted advances during the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Reflecting on the #MeToo movement fueled by the behavior of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and other alleged predators, Keltner described the "sexual overperception" that leads a powerful man to misread social cues and make unwanted advances to a female subordinate.

University of California, Berkeley

The 26-year-old half-back risks being sacked after video emerged in which he's seen to make unwanted advances to a woman and simulate a sex act with a dog on Australia Day. Lumby, who has worked pro bono with the NRL for a decade, said his behaviour should spell the end of his time in rugby league in Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

Q: (AMONG LIKELY VOTERS) As you may have heard, several women have claimed Roy Moore made unwanted advances when they were teenagers and Moore was in his 30s, including one who said he touched her sexually when she was 14. Do you think Moore did or did not make unwanted advances toward teenage girls, or are you not sure?

The Washington Post

Guys should offer professional advice because they like your brain, not your breasts, and lecherous co-workers who make unwanted advances should be promptly fired.

HuffPost

Despite Donald Trump's repeated denials of nefarious behavior toward women and his media-blaming tactics, a new ABC/Washington Post poll shows that nearly 7 in 10 voters think Trump probably did make unwanted advances on women.

HuffPost

Obviously, it is never okay for him to make unwanted advances on you, regardless of your behavior.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Q: (IF SAY MOORE DID NOT MAKE ADVANCES OR ARE UNSURE) Which of the following best describes why you do not think/are not sure Moore made unwanted advances?

The Washington Post

Other women have said he made unwanted advances during dinners or events that involved alcohol.

The New York Times

He can also expect additional FA sanctions for making unwanted advances towards opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

He's alleged to have made unwanted advances toward a woman he was seeking to hire.

MIT Technology Review

But onMay 23, the Des Moines Register revealed that Boulton had made unwanted advances on several women.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing instances of harassment or misconduct, use “make unwanted advances” to clearly communicate the unwelcome nature of the actions. Be specific about the context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid generalizing incidents by only stating that someone "acted inappropriately". Specify the nature of the actions with "make unwanted advances" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make unwanted advances" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe specific instances of unwelcome or inappropriate behavior, often of a sexual nature. Ludwig AI shows that it is used in the context of describing allegations of misconduct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Academia

16.66%

Wiki

16.66%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make unwanted advances" is a verbal phrase used to describe unwelcome or inappropriate behavior, particularly in the context of sexual harassment or misconduct. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase appears to be grammatically correct and commonly used to report or discuss such incidents. It is generally considered neutral in register and frequently appears in news and media, academic, and wiki sources. While alternatives like "make inappropriate advances" or "sexually harass" exist, "make unwanted advances" effectively conveys the lack of consent and unwelcome nature of the actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make inappropriate advances

Replaces "unwanted" with "inappropriate", emphasizing the unsuitability of the actions.

make unwelcome advances

Uses "unwelcome" instead of "unwanted", highlighting the lack of consent or desire for the actions.

sexually harass

More direct and specific, indicating that the advances are of a sexual nature and constitute harassment.

commit sexual harassment

A more formal way of saying "sexually harass", often used in legal or official contexts.

proposition sexually

Implies a direct sexual proposal or suggestion.

engage in sexual misconduct

A more formal term indicating improper sexual behavior.

act inappropriately

A broader term, suggesting behavior that is not suitable or acceptable in a given situation.

behave improperly

Similar to "act inappropriately", but emphasizes the breach of established norms or standards of conduct.

cross a line

An idiomatic expression indicating that someone has exceeded the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

make advances

A shorter version, but the 'unwanted' aspect is implied through context

FAQs

What does it mean to "make unwanted advances"?

To "make unwanted advances" means to initiate actions, often of a sexual or romantic nature, that are unwelcome and uninvited by the recipient. It implies a disregard for the other person's boundaries and consent.

How is "make unwanted advances" different from flirting?

Flirting is typically mutual and consensual, involving reciprocal interest and positive engagement. To "make unwanted advances" lacks this mutuality and disregards the recipient's lack of interest or consent, making it unwelcome and potentially harassing.

What are some alternative ways to say "make unwanted advances"?

You can use alternatives like "make inappropriate advances", "sexually harass", or "commit sexual harassment depending on the context and severity of the situation.

Is "make unwanted advances" a legal term?

While not a precise legal term, "make unwanted advances" describes behavior that can constitute sexual harassment, which is illegal in many contexts. Legal definitions of sexual harassment often include unwelcome actions of a sexual nature that create a hostile environment.