Have you ever had someone tell you they can’t make out your accent? Has anyone ever told you they made something up? What did you make of what they told you?
Confused by these questions? You’re not alone. At first, lots of people learning English get confused by the many phrasal verbs with “make.”
However, with practice, you'll soon master these. And once you do, your ability to express yourself in English and understand others will multiply.
So let this former English teacher guide you through some of the most well-used phrasal verbs with “make.”
Did you know?
Make Up For
Use "make up for" when you’re talking about something you’re going to do to remedy a situation.
It means to account for lost time or effort by doing something differently (to compensate).
A common expression is "to make up for lost time." For example, you could say:
"I had no internet connection on Friday, so I couldn't work on my assignment. However, I worked on it all day on Saturday to make up for lost time."
Example Sentences
I will make up for missing your birthday by taking you out for a nice meal this weekend.
He decided to go wild in his 40s to make up for his conservative youth.
She makes up for being quiet by being a good listener.
Quiz Time
You're late for your British friend's wedding in London. After the ceremony, you approach her. Which of the following options would be best to use in this situation?
A. I'm sorry I was late to your wedding. I made up for a tour of the city and forgot the time.
B. Please accept my apologies for arriving late. I'll make up for it and be the last person to leave.
C. I'm so sorry I arrived late to the wedding. I'll make up for you with a gift.
D. Please accept my apologies for arriving late. I made up for the traffic.
Quiz
Select the best option:
Make Of
Use "make of" when talking about:
how you understand something
what you think of something
It means to:
interpret something
have an opinion on something
understand something
A common expression is "to not be able to make head nor tail of something." This means not being able to understand something at all. For example, you could say:
"I couldn't make head nor tail of her lecture."
Example Sentences
What do you make of the new girl in class?
My mom is dating my best friend’s dad. I’m not sure what to make of this strange situation.
He was silent all day, and she wasn’t sure what to make of his silence.
Quiz Time
Someone asks you, "What do you make of the new boy in class?" Which response is appropriate for this question?
A. Yes. I would like to know him better.
B. I'm not sure. I haven't talked to him enough to form an opinion.
C. I think he's from Pakistan.
D. I helped him with his homework.
Quiz
Select the best response:
Make Into
Use "make into" when you want to talk about:
how someone changes
changing something from one thing to another
It means to:
change the form of something
change something into something else
transform
For example, if you had some leftover vegetables, you could make them into a soup.
Example Sentences
She made the clay into a ball before putting it on the pottery wheel.
His difficult life has made him into a bitter, old man.
You’re making this situation into a big issue by complaining all the time.
Quiz Time
Consider the three phrasal verbs you've just learned so far. Have a look at these sentences and decide which one makes the most sense:
A. I made into the television yesterday to catch my favorite show.
B. He made the basement into his own personal bar, with drinks and everything.
C. He makes of his new friend into a sandwich with lettuce and peanut butter.
D. She made into for her lack of English language knowledge by eating cereal.
Quiz
Select the answer that makes the most sense:
Subscribe for more quick bites of learning delivered to your inbox.
Unsubscribe anytime. No spam. 🙂
Make Out
The phrasal verb "make out" has 6 popular meanings.
Meaning 1
to imply that something is one way when it’s not
to pretend
It's often used with “to be” in the phrase “make [something or someone] out to be.”
Example Conversation:
Anne: Wow! University books are so expensive these days.
Sarah: I have lots of money. I don’t need to worry about the cost of my university books.
Anne: I think you’re making out that you’re richer than you actually are.
Sarah: It sounds like you’re making me out to be a liar. I won’t tolerate that.
Anne: You’re exaggerating! Don’t make out like this situation is worse than it is.
Quiz Time
Look at the following sentences. Which sentence uses the correct grammar for "make out"?
A. The lady made to be the long-lost child of the couple whose daughter went missing twenty years ago out, but she was lying.
B. The lady was made herself out to be the long-lost child of the couple whose daughter went missing twenty years ago, but she was lying.
C. The lady made out to be the long-lost child of the couple whose daughter went missing twenty years ago, but she was lying.
D. The lady made to be out the long-lost child of the couple whose daughter went missing twenty years ago, but she was lying.
Quiz
Select the sentence with the correct grammar for "make out":
Other Meanings of Make Out
Meaning 2
to kiss and touch someone romantically for a prolonged period
Examples:
I heard that Tom and Anne made out outside the school gates yesterday.
I saw Viktoria making out with Carmela at the party yesterday.
Meaning 3
to finally see, hear, or understand something that was originally difficult to figure out
to notice a small detail
Examples:
After squinting my eyes, I was just about able to make out the destination written in tiny letters on the front of the bus.
Can you make out what he’s saying? I think the audio in this movie is very low.
Meaning 4
to fill in the amount and "to" field of a blank check
Examples:
I made the check out to Pablo for $100 USD.
Can you make out the check in my name?
Meaning 5
to be able to comprehend someone’s way of being/personality
Examples:
She’s a hard person to get to know because she’s so aloof. I just can’t make her out.
They are always so secretive. I can’t make them out.
Meaning 6
to progress with something
cope with something
succeed
Examples:
Do you know how Ahmed made out on his entry exam?
How are the twins making out at university?
Quiz Time
Consider the previously listed "Meaning 3" of "to make out" (to finally see, hear, or understand something that was originally difficult to figure out/notice a small detail).
Decide which of the following sentences uses this meaning correctly:
A. He has a very strong Glaswegian accent. I can't make out a word he says.
B. I can't believe it's our tenth wedding anniversary. I remember the first time we made out.
C. I heard you had a driving test yesterday. How did you make out?
D. I can't believe she didn't come to my wedding. For months, she made out as if she would go.
Quiz
Select the best answer:
Make Up
This frequently used phrasal verb has four popular meanings:
Meaning 1
to apply cosmetics (often used as the phrase “to get made up”)
Examples:
She made up her face to look nice for the wedding.
Let’s get made up for going out tonight.
Meaning 2
to invent or create something new
Examples:
When he was 7, he made up a really good story for his school homework about a flying dog.
I’m sorry, but I lied about being from Costa Rica. I totally made it up.
Meaning 3
to mend a relationship after an argument
It's often used with the expression “to kiss and make up," which means to forgive one another and move on (not literally to kiss).
Examples:
After fighting all evening, they finally made up in the morning after a good night’s sleep.
I don’t like fighting. Let’s just kiss and make up.
Meaning 4
to prepare, arrange, or assemble something by putting different things together
Examples:
The pharmacist will make up your prescription now. Please wait ten minutes for it to be made up.
The hotel staff made up your room and your bed while you were out. And the hotel manager left you a gift basket they made up from local ingredients.
Quiz Time
Which sentences correctly use the phrasal verb "to make up" in one of the four ways discussed?
A. My two aunties had a big fight a few years ago and haven't spoken since. I hope they make up in time for my cousin's wedding.
B. We need another two people to make up a standard soccer team.
C. His cat was made up when I went to see him yesterday. It was obvious from his expression.
D. I hope you'll make an effort for my sake when you come to my party. At least do a make up.
Quiz
Select the best answers:
Did you know?
Take Action
Now that you know the difference between "make up" and "make up for," you don't need to make up a reason for not practicing some phrasal verbs with "make."
Your feedback matters to us.
This Byte helped me better understand the topic.