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prowl
on the prowl
looking for someone for sexual purposes. (Alludes to a prowling cat.) Tom looks like he is on the prowl again tonight. That whole gang of boys is on the prowl. Watch out.
prowl about
and prowl aroundto sneak around, looking for someone or something. Something is prowling about out there in the yard. There is someone outside prowling around.
on the prowl
1. actively looking for a romantic or sexual partner Divorce isn't the only subject to avoid when you're on the prowl.
2. actively trying to achieve something Officials see the country as a competitor that's on the prowl to grab every export market within reach.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of prowl (to move quietly while hunting)
on the prowl
Actively looking for something, as in Their underpaid computer programmers are always on the prowl for better jobs. This idiom transfers an animal's search for prey to human pursuits that are usually less bloodthirsty. [c. 1800]
on the prowl
mod. looking for someone for sexual purposes, in the manner of a prowling cat. Tom looks like he is on the prowl again tonight.
owl-prowl
n. a nighttime session of owl watching. (Bird watchers humor.) We went on an owl-prowl last night and spotted a spotted owl. It was a barn owl, but we spotted it.
on the prowl
Actively looking for something: salespeople on the prowl for better jobs.