make
make for
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you make for a place, you move towards it.
He rose from his seat and made for the door.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If something makes for another thing, it causes or helps to cause that thing to happen or exist. (INFORMAL)
A happy parent makes for a happy child.make of
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you ask a person what they make of something, you want to know what their impression, opinion, or understanding of it is.
Nancy wasn't sure what to make of Mick's apology.make off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you make off, you leave somewhere as quickly as possible, often in order to escape.
They broke free and made off in a stolen car.make out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V P wh
If you make something out, you manage with difficulty to see or hear it.
I could just make out a tall, pale, shadowy figure tramping through the undergrowth...
She thought she heard a name. She couldn't make it out, though...
I heard the voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P wh, V P
If you try to make something out, you try to understand it or decide whether or not it is true.
I couldn't make it out at all...
It is hard to make out what criteria are used...
At first I thought it was an accident, but as far as I can make out, the police consider that's unlikely.
= understand
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P that, V n P to-inf, V P
If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case.
They were trying to make out that I'd actually done it...
I don't think it was as glorious as everybody made it out to be...
He was never half as bad as his teachers made out.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) for/against n, also V n P
If you make out a case for something, you try to establish or prove that it is the best thing to do.
You could certainly make out a case for this point of view...
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V P n (not pron)
When you make out a cheque, receipt, or order form, you write all the necessary information on it.
If you would like to send a donation, you can make a cheque out to Feed the Children...
I'm going to make out a receipt for you.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P, also V P with n
If two people are making out, they are engaged in sexual activity. (mainly AM INFORMAL)
...pictures of the couple making out in their underwear on the beach.make up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), be V-ed P of n, also V n P
The people or things that make up something are the members or parts that form that thing.
North Africans make up the largest and poorest immigrant group in the country...
Insects are made up of tens of thousands of proteins.
= form, constitute
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you make up something such as a story or excuse, you invent it, sometimes in order to deceive people.
I think it's very unkind of you to make up stories about him...
I'm not making it up. The character exists in real life.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you make yourself up or if someone else makes you up, make-up such as powder or lipstick is put on your face.
She spent too much time making herself up...
She chose Maggie to make her up for her engagement photographs...
I can't be bothered to make up my face.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P to amount
If you make up an amount, you add something to it so that it is as large as it should be.
Less than half of the money that students receive is in the form of grants, and loans have made up the difference...
The team had six professionals and made the number up with five amateurs...
For every £100 you invest into a pension plan the Inland Revenue makes it up to £125.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you make up time or hours, you work some extra hours because you have previously taken some time off work.
They'll have to make up time lost during the strike.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P, pl-n V P n, V P with n, V it P with n, also pl-n V it P
If two people make up or make it up after a quarrel or disagreement, they become friends again.
She came back and they made up...
They never made up the quarrel...
They should make up with their ex-enemy in the West...
I'll make it up with him again.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you make up something such as food or medicine, you prepare it by mixing or putting different things together.
Prepare the souffle dish before making up the souffle mixture.
8 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you make up a bed, you put sheets and blankets on it so that someone can sleep there.
Her mother made up a bed in her old room.make up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V it P P n, V it P P n for n/-ing, also V n P P n
If you say that you will make it up to someone, you are promising that you will do something good for them after they have been upset or disappointed, especially by you.
I'll make it up to you, I promise...
I must make it up to him for the awful intrusion of last night.♦♦♦ make1 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CARRYING OUT AN ACTION
Make is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression `to make sense' is explained at `sense'.
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V n
You can use make with a wide range of nouns to indicate that someone performs an action or says something. For example, if you make a suggestion, you suggest something.
I'd just like to make a comment...
I made a few phone calls...
I think you're making a serious mistake...
2 [VERB] V n of n, V n of n
You can use make with certain nouns to indicate that someone does something well or badly. For example, if you make a success of something, you do it successfully, and if you make a mess of something, you do it very badly.
Apparently he made a mess of his audition...
Are you really going to make a better job of it this time?
3 [VERB] V as if to-inf, V to-inf
If you make as if to do something or make to do something, you behave in a way that makes it seem that you are just about to do it. (WRITTEN)
Mary made as if to protest, then hesitated...
He made to chase Davey, who ran back laughing.
4 [VERB] V amount
In cricket, if a player makes a particular number of runs, they score that number of runs. In baseball or American football, if a player makes a particular score, they achieve that score.
He made 1,972 runs for the county.
= score
5 [PHRASE] make inflects, oft PHR with n
If you make do with something, you use or have it instead of something else that you do not have, although it is not as good.
Why make do with a copy if you can afford the genuine article?...
6 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR cl, PHR n
If you make like you are doing something, you act as if you are doing it, and if you make like someone, you act as if you are that person. (INFORMAL)
Bob makes like he's a fish blowing bubbles.♦♦♦ make2 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CAUSING OR CHANGING
Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [VERB] V n inf, be V-ed to-inf
If something makes you do something, it causes you to do it.
Grit from the highway made him cough...
I was made to feel guilty and irresponsible.
2 [VERB] V n inf, be V-ed to-inf
If you make someone do something, you force them to do it.
You can't make me do anything...
They were made to pay $8.8 million in taxes.
3 [VERB] V n n, V n adj, V it adj that, V it adj to-inf, V n of n
You use make to talk about causing someone or something to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality. For example, to make someone a star means to cause them to become a star, and to make someone angry means to cause them to become angry.
...James Bond, the role that made him a star...
She made life very difficult for me...
She's made it obvious that she's appalled by me...
Rationing has made it easier to find some products like eggs, butter and meat...
Does your film make a hero of Jim Garrison?
4 [VERB] V n inf adj/prep/n
If you say that one thing or person makes another seem, for example, small, stupid, or good, you mean that they cause them to seem small, stupid, or good in comparison, even though they are not.
They live in fantasy worlds which make Euro Disney seem uninventive...
5 [VERB] V pron-refl -ed
If you make yourself understood, heard, or known, you succeed in getting people to understand you, hear you, or know that you are there.
Aron couldn't speak Polish. I made myself understood with difficulty...
6 [VERB] V n n
If you make someone something, you appoint them to a particular job, role, or position.
Mr Blair made him transport minister...
7 [VERB] V n into n
If you make something into something else, you change it in some way so that it becomes that other thing.
We made it into a beautiful home...
8 [VERB] V n amount
To make a total or score a particular amount means to increase it to that amount.
This makes the total cost of the bulb and energy £27...
9 [VERB] V n, V n of n
When someone makes a friend or an enemy, someone becomes their friend or their enemy, often because of a particular thing they have done.
Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily...
He was unruly in class and made an enemy of most of his teachers.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone makes something of themselves or makes something of their life, they become successful.
My father lived long enough to see that I'd made something of myself...
The nuns who taught him urged him to make something of his life and he did.
11
to make friends: see friend♦♦♦ make3 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CREATING OR PRODUCING
1 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed, V n from/out of n
To make something means to produce, construct, or create it.
She made her own bread...
Having curtains made professionally can be costly...
They make compost out of all kinds of waste.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
If you make a note or list, you write something down in that form.
Mr Perry made a note in his book...
Make a list of your questions beforehand.
= write
3 [VERB] V n
If you make rules or laws, you decide what these should be.
The police don't make the laws, they merely enforce them...
4 [VERB] V n, V n out of/from n
If you make money, you get it by working for it, by selling something, or by winning it.
I think every business's goal is to make money...
Can it be moral to make so much money out of a commodity which is essential to life?
5 [VERB] V n
If something makes something else, it is responsible for the success of that thing.
What really makes the book are the beautiful designs.
6 [N-COUNT] supp N, N of n
The make of something such as a car or radio is the name of the company that made it.
...a certain make of wristwatch.
= brand
7 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is on the make, you disapprove of them because they are trying to get a lot of money or power, possibly by illegal or immoral methods.♦♦♦ make4 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) LINK VERB USES
1 [V-LINK] V n, V n n
You can use make to say that someone or something has the right qualities for a particular task or role. For example, if you say that someone will make a good politician, you mean that they have the right qualities to be a good politician.
You've a very good idea there. It will make a good book...
I'm very fond of Maurice and I'd make him a good wife.
2 [V-LINK] V n
If people make a particular pattern such as a line or a circle, they arrange themselves in this way.
A group of people made a circle around the Pentagon.
= form
3 [V-LINK] V amount
You can use make to say what two numbers add up to.
Four twos make eight...♦♦♦ make5 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) ACHIEVING OR REACHING
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If someone makes a particular team or makes a particular high position, they do so well that they are put in that team or get that position.
The athletes are just happy to make the British team...
He knew he was never going to make director.
2 [VERB] V n prep
If you make a place in or by a particular time, you get there in or by that time, often with some difficulty.
They were trying to make New Orleans by nightfall.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR prep/adv
If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something.
...the hostages who never made it home...
I just made it!
4 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make it, you are successful in achieving something difficult, or in surviving through a very difficult period.
I believe I have the talent to make it...
5 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg, oft PHR to n
If you cannot make it, you are unable to attend an event that you have been invited to.
He hadn't been able to make it to our dinner.♦♦♦ make6 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) STATING AN AMOUNT OR TIME
1 [VERB] V it amount
You use make it when saying what you calculate or guess an amount to be.
All I want to know is how many T-shirts Jim Martin has got. I make it three...
2 [VERB] V it n, V it n, also V n n
You use make it when saying what time your watch says it is.
I make it nearly 9.30...
`What time d'you make it?'--`Thirteen past.'
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you make for a place, you move towards it.
He rose from his seat and made for the door.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If something makes for another thing, it causes or helps to cause that thing to happen or exist. (INFORMAL)
A happy parent makes for a happy child.make of
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you ask a person what they make of something, you want to know what their impression, opinion, or understanding of it is.
Nancy wasn't sure what to make of Mick's apology.make off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you make off, you leave somewhere as quickly as possible, often in order to escape.
They broke free and made off in a stolen car.make out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V P wh
If you make something out, you manage with difficulty to see or hear it.
I could just make out a tall, pale, shadowy figure tramping through the undergrowth...
She thought she heard a name. She couldn't make it out, though...
I heard the voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P wh, V P
If you try to make something out, you try to understand it or decide whether or not it is true.
I couldn't make it out at all...
It is hard to make out what criteria are used...
At first I thought it was an accident, but as far as I can make out, the police consider that's unlikely.
= understand
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P that, V n P to-inf, V P
If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case.
They were trying to make out that I'd actually done it...
I don't think it was as glorious as everybody made it out to be...
He was never half as bad as his teachers made out.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) for/against n, also V n P
If you make out a case for something, you try to establish or prove that it is the best thing to do.
You could certainly make out a case for this point of view...
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P to n, V P n (not pron)
When you make out a cheque, receipt, or order form, you write all the necessary information on it.
If you would like to send a donation, you can make a cheque out to Feed the Children...
I'm going to make out a receipt for you.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P, also V P with n
If two people are making out, they are engaged in sexual activity. (mainly AM INFORMAL)
...pictures of the couple making out in their underwear on the beach.make up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), be V-ed P of n, also V n P
The people or things that make up something are the members or parts that form that thing.
North Africans make up the largest and poorest immigrant group in the country...
Insects are made up of tens of thousands of proteins.
= form, constitute
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you make up something such as a story or excuse, you invent it, sometimes in order to deceive people.
I think it's very unkind of you to make up stories about him...
I'm not making it up. The character exists in real life.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you make yourself up or if someone else makes you up, make-up such as powder or lipstick is put on your face.
She spent too much time making herself up...
She chose Maggie to make her up for her engagement photographs...
I can't be bothered to make up my face.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P to amount
If you make up an amount, you add something to it so that it is as large as it should be.
Less than half of the money that students receive is in the form of grants, and loans have made up the difference...
The team had six professionals and made the number up with five amateurs...
For every £100 you invest into a pension plan the Inland Revenue makes it up to £125.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you make up time or hours, you work some extra hours because you have previously taken some time off work.
They'll have to make up time lost during the strike.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P, pl-n V P n, V P with n, V it P with n, also pl-n V it P
If two people make up or make it up after a quarrel or disagreement, they become friends again.
She came back and they made up...
They never made up the quarrel...
They should make up with their ex-enemy in the West...
I'll make it up with him again.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you make up something such as food or medicine, you prepare it by mixing or putting different things together.
Prepare the souffle dish before making up the souffle mixture.
8 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you make up a bed, you put sheets and blankets on it so that someone can sleep there.
Her mother made up a bed in her old room.make up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V it P P n, V it P P n for n/-ing, also V n P P n
If you say that you will make it up to someone, you are promising that you will do something good for them after they have been upset or disappointed, especially by you.
I'll make it up to you, I promise...
I must make it up to him for the awful intrusion of last night.♦♦♦ make1 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CARRYING OUT AN ACTION
Make is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression `to make sense' is explained at `sense'.
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V n
You can use make with a wide range of nouns to indicate that someone performs an action or says something. For example, if you make a suggestion, you suggest something.
I'd just like to make a comment...
I made a few phone calls...
I think you're making a serious mistake...
2 [VERB] V n of n, V n of n
You can use make with certain nouns to indicate that someone does something well or badly. For example, if you make a success of something, you do it successfully, and if you make a mess of something, you do it very badly.
Apparently he made a mess of his audition...
Are you really going to make a better job of it this time?
3 [VERB] V as if to-inf, V to-inf
If you make as if to do something or make to do something, you behave in a way that makes it seem that you are just about to do it. (WRITTEN)
Mary made as if to protest, then hesitated...
He made to chase Davey, who ran back laughing.
4 [VERB] V amount
In cricket, if a player makes a particular number of runs, they score that number of runs. In baseball or American football, if a player makes a particular score, they achieve that score.
He made 1,972 runs for the county.
= score
5 [PHRASE] make inflects, oft PHR with n
If you make do with something, you use or have it instead of something else that you do not have, although it is not as good.
Why make do with a copy if you can afford the genuine article?...
6 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR cl, PHR n
If you make like you are doing something, you act as if you are doing it, and if you make like someone, you act as if you are that person. (INFORMAL)
Bob makes like he's a fish blowing bubbles.♦♦♦ make2 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CAUSING OR CHANGING
Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [VERB] V n inf, be V-ed to-inf
If something makes you do something, it causes you to do it.
Grit from the highway made him cough...
I was made to feel guilty and irresponsible.
2 [VERB] V n inf, be V-ed to-inf
If you make someone do something, you force them to do it.
You can't make me do anything...
They were made to pay $8.8 million in taxes.
3 [VERB] V n n, V n adj, V it adj that, V it adj to-inf, V n of n
You use make to talk about causing someone or something to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality. For example, to make someone a star means to cause them to become a star, and to make someone angry means to cause them to become angry.
...James Bond, the role that made him a star...
She made life very difficult for me...
She's made it obvious that she's appalled by me...
Rationing has made it easier to find some products like eggs, butter and meat...
Does your film make a hero of Jim Garrison?
4 [VERB] V n inf adj/prep/n
If you say that one thing or person makes another seem, for example, small, stupid, or good, you mean that they cause them to seem small, stupid, or good in comparison, even though they are not.
They live in fantasy worlds which make Euro Disney seem uninventive...
5 [VERB] V pron-refl -ed
If you make yourself understood, heard, or known, you succeed in getting people to understand you, hear you, or know that you are there.
Aron couldn't speak Polish. I made myself understood with difficulty...
6 [VERB] V n n
If you make someone something, you appoint them to a particular job, role, or position.
Mr Blair made him transport minister...
7 [VERB] V n into n
If you make something into something else, you change it in some way so that it becomes that other thing.
We made it into a beautiful home...
8 [VERB] V n amount
To make a total or score a particular amount means to increase it to that amount.
This makes the total cost of the bulb and energy £27...
9 [VERB] V n, V n of n
When someone makes a friend or an enemy, someone becomes their friend or their enemy, often because of a particular thing they have done.
Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily...
He was unruly in class and made an enemy of most of his teachers.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone makes something of themselves or makes something of their life, they become successful.
My father lived long enough to see that I'd made something of myself...
The nuns who taught him urged him to make something of his life and he did.
11
to make friends: see friend♦♦♦ make3 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) CREATING OR PRODUCING
1 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed, V n from/out of n
To make something means to produce, construct, or create it.
She made her own bread...
Having curtains made professionally can be costly...
They make compost out of all kinds of waste.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
If you make a note or list, you write something down in that form.
Mr Perry made a note in his book...
Make a list of your questions beforehand.
= write
3 [VERB] V n
If you make rules or laws, you decide what these should be.
The police don't make the laws, they merely enforce them...
4 [VERB] V n, V n out of/from n
If you make money, you get it by working for it, by selling something, or by winning it.
I think every business's goal is to make money...
Can it be moral to make so much money out of a commodity which is essential to life?
5 [VERB] V n
If something makes something else, it is responsible for the success of that thing.
What really makes the book are the beautiful designs.
6 [N-COUNT] supp N, N of n
The make of something such as a car or radio is the name of the company that made it.
...a certain make of wristwatch.
= brand
7 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is on the make, you disapprove of them because they are trying to get a lot of money or power, possibly by illegal or immoral methods.♦♦♦ make4 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) LINK VERB USES
1 [V-LINK] V n, V n n
You can use make to say that someone or something has the right qualities for a particular task or role. For example, if you say that someone will make a good politician, you mean that they have the right qualities to be a good politician.
You've a very good idea there. It will make a good book...
I'm very fond of Maurice and I'd make him a good wife.
2 [V-LINK] V n
If people make a particular pattern such as a line or a circle, they arrange themselves in this way.
A group of people made a circle around the Pentagon.
= form
3 [V-LINK] V amount
You can use make to say what two numbers add up to.
Four twos make eight...♦♦♦ make5 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) ACHIEVING OR REACHING
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If someone makes a particular team or makes a particular high position, they do so well that they are put in that team or get that position.
The athletes are just happy to make the British team...
He knew he was never going to make director.
2 [VERB] V n prep
If you make a place in or by a particular time, you get there in or by that time, often with some difficulty.
They were trying to make New Orleans by nightfall.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR prep/adv
If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something.
...the hostages who never made it home...
I just made it!
4 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make it, you are successful in achieving something difficult, or in surviving through a very difficult period.
I believe I have the talent to make it...
5 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg, oft PHR to n
If you cannot make it, you are unable to attend an event that you have been invited to.
He hadn't been able to make it to our dinner.♦♦♦ make6 /m'eɪk/ (make makes making made) STATING AN AMOUNT OR TIME
1 [VERB] V it amount
You use make it when saying what you calculate or guess an amount to be.
All I want to know is how many T-shirts Jim Martin has got. I make it three...
2 [VERB] V it n, V it n, also V n n
You use make it when saying what time your watch says it is.
I make it nearly 9.30...
`What time d'you make it?'--`Thirteen past.'