come on strong

English

Verb

come on strong (third-person singular simple present comes on strong, present participle coming on strong, simple past came on strong, past participle come on strong)

1. (idiomatic) To approach with a lot of energy.
   • 1988, Tom Ainslie, Ainslie's Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 202:

     Most grass racing places a premium on the ability of better horses to save ground on the turns, cut the corner into the home stretch and come on strong at the end.

   • 2002, Jonathan C. Smith, PhD, Stress Management: A Comprehensive Handbook Of Techniques And Strategies, Springer Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 165:

     People who don't come on strong aren't listened to. If you compromise, you won't get what you want. People won't take you seriously, or think you are a real man (or woman) unless you are tough.

   • 2005, Kelly Lipscomb, Spain, Hunter Publishing, →ISBN, page 507:

     A century later, riches from the New World began to improve the city's outlook and by the 19th century Santander had come on strong as an innovator in the Spanish banking industry, a role it still holds in the 21st century.

   • 2014, Nick Morgan, Power Cues: The Subtle Science of Leading Groups, Persuading Others, and Maximizing Your Personal Impact, Harvard Business Review Press, →ISBN, page 126:

     So you can challenge initial dominance and come on strong to take over by the end of a debate, meeting, or conference.

2. (idiomatic) To be very eager, to want something (too) much, especially a romantic or sexual partner.
   • 2011, Joe P Kirkendall, The College Adventure Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Surviving College, Building a Strong Faith, and Getting a Hot Date, Zondervan, →ISBN, page 128:

     You don't have to come on strong at first. Don't say things like, “I could totally see us married a year from now.” But let that person know you're ready for a relationship. See where she is. Talk.

   • 2013, Daaimah S. Poole, Another Man Will, Kensington Publishing Corp., →ISBN, page 179:

     I don't have to come on strong, or remind him that I am a good catch.