Green’s Dictionary of Slang

want v.

SE in slang uses

In phrases

want to make something of it?

(orig. US) a ritual request that may well herald a fight, but still gives the other person the chance to back down.

[Aus]L. Glassop We Were the Rats 144: ‘Who said that?’ said Eddie, sitting up. He thought it was Jim. It was Jim, but Pat said, ‘Me. Want to make something of it?’.
[US]B. Veeck Veeck — as in Wreck 190: [J]ust sharply enough to let Clint know he was ready for him any time Clint wanted to make something of it.
[UK]Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 1307/2: since ca. 1925.
[Aus]Penguin Bk of Aus. Jokes 387: I’m stupid, okay. I’ve got an IQ of 63. You wanna make something of it?