Make advance

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1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation

Make advances (verb phrase) = to make progress toward a goal, or to make romantic or sexual approaches toward someone.

This phrase has two very different meanings depending on context. The first meaning is about progress — when a company, field, or person makes advances, they move forward, develop, or achieve breakthroughs. Medicine makes advances. Technology makes advances. Your career makes advances.

The second meaning is romantic or sexual — when someone makes advances toward another person, they’re showing interest, flirting, or attempting to start a romantic or physical relationship. This can be welcome or unwelcome. When it’s unwelcome, “making advances” often describes behaviour that crosses boundaries — it’s a polite way to describe someone being too forward or even harassing.

The word signals either forward movement (progress) or forward behaviour (romantic pursuit). Context makes the meaning clear. In professional or academic settings, it’s about achievement. In personal or social settings, it’s almost always about romantic intent — and often implies the advances weren’t wanted.

Examples from the street:

• “Science has made incredible advances in cancer treatment” → significant progress has been achieved
• “He made advances toward her at the party, but she wasn’t interested” → he tried to flirt or initiate something romantic
• “She rejected his advances politely” → she turned down his romantic attempts without being harsh

2. Most Common Patterns

• make advances in + field/area → achieve progress in a specific domain
• make advances toward + person → attempt romantic or sexual approach
• reject/rebuff someone’s advances → refuse romantic attempts
• unwanted/unwelcome advances → romantic approaches that are not desired
• significant/major advances → important progress or breakthroughs

3. Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms directly containing “make advances” — these are related expressions:

• make a move on someone → attempt to start a romantic or sexual interaction (more casual)Example: “He tried to make a move on her, but she shut him down immediately.”
• come on to someone → flirt with or make sexual advances toward someone (casual, often implies being too forward)Example: “He was coming on to everyone at the bar last night.”

4. Example Sentences

1. Researchers have made significant advances in renewable energy technology→ Scientists achieved important breakthroughs in clean power development.
2. She rejected his advances and asked him to leave her alone→ She refused his romantic attempts and set a clear boundary.
3. The company has made major advances in artificial intelligence this year→ The business achieved remarkable progress in AI development.
4. He was fired for making unwanted advances toward a colleague→ He lost his job because of inappropriate romantic behaviour at work.
5. Medicine has made incredible advances since the discovery of antibiotics→ Healthcare progressed enormously after that breakthrough.
6. She politely rebuffed his advances and changed the subject→ She gently refused his flirting and moved the conversation elsewhere.
7. The team made steady advances toward completing the project on time→ They progressed consistently toward their deadline.
8. His unwelcome advances made everyone at the office uncomfortable→ His inappropriate romantic behaviour created an awkward atmosphere.

5. Personal Examples

1. Education has made huge advances with online learning tools and resources→ Teaching methods improved significantly thanks to digital technology.
2. As I make advances in my English fluency, conversations feel more natural→ My progress allows me to speak with greater ease and confidence.

6. Register: Neutral to Formal

✔ Native usage tips

• In professional/academic contexts, “make advances” always means progress — no romantic implication
• In social contexts, “advances” almost always means romantic/sexual approaches
• “Unwanted advances” is the standard phrase in workplace harassment discussions — it sounds serious but not crude
• “Reject someone’s advances” is a diplomatic way to describe turning someone down

✔ Similar expressions / words

• Make progress → neutral alternative for the achievement meaning
• Hit on someone → casual, more direct version of making romantic advances
• Breakthrough → a single major advance, often used for discoveries