Phrasal Verbs with Make (Plus Idiomatic Expressions)

The verb “make” is part of several phrasal verbs and a wide range of idiomatic phrases. Phrasal verbs with “make” include “make for,” “make up,” and “make out.” Idioms with “make” (which work in a similar way) include “make do” and “make believe.”

You can use the idioms and phrasal verbs with “make” in any verb tense. “Make” is an irregular verb, and the past participle and simple past tense are both “made.”

Phrasal verbs with “make” also fall into three categories:

• Transitive and separable phrasal verbs like “make into” always have direct objects that can go after “make” or after the particle (e.g., “into”). If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “make.”
• Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs like “make of” have direct objects, but they can’t go between “make” and the particle (e.g., “of”). Most phrasal verbs with “make” work this way.
• Intransitive phrasal verbs don’t have direct objects. For example, when “make up” means “end a disagreement,” it’s intransitive.

The definitions and examples below illustrate how to use idioms and phrasal verbs with “make” in sentences. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can also help you use them correctly in your writing.

Make amends (idiomatic phrase)

To compensate for a mistake or wrongdoing

Make believe (idiomatic phrase)

To pretend (often followed by a noun clause that begins with the relative pronoun “that”)

Make do (idiomatic phrase)

To manage with limited or less desirable resources

Make ends meet (idiomatic phrase)

To have just enough money for basic needs

Make for

1. To go toward a place or thing (transitive, inseparable)
2. To cause something to be more likely (transitive, inseparable)

Make fun of (idiomatic phrase)

To make a joke about someone or something

Make good on (idiomatic phrase)

To fulfill an obligation

Make into

To transform one thing into something else (transitive, separable with an object between “make” and “into” and another object after “into”)

Make it (idiomatic phrase)

To survive or continue to exist in spite of a challenge

Make it up to (idiomatic phrase)

To do something generous or helpful for someone after causing them some form of difficulty

Make of

To form an opinion about something (transitive, inseparable, and usually in a question or a statement of uncertainty)

Make out

1. To see or hear something that is somewhat difficult to perceive (transitive, separable)
2. To fill in the details (transitive, separable with a direct object that is a blank document, such as a check or a greeting card)

Make sense (idiomatic phrase)

To be easy to understand or reasonable

Make sure (idiomatic phrase)

To ensure that something is true or has been done (usually followed by a noun clause that begins with “that”)

Make the grade (idiomatic phrase)

To be satisfactory or successful

Make the most of (idiomatic phrase)

To take advantage of something that is temporary or fleeting

Make up

1. To invent in order to deceive or entertain (transitive, separable)
2. To forgive each other after disagreement (intransitive)
3. To put cosmetics on someone (transitive, separable)
4. To complete something that is missing (transitive, separable)

Makeup meaning

“Makeup” (one word) is a compound noun that means “cosmetics” (e.g., lipstick, eye shadow, mascara, etc.). It can be an attributive noun when it modifies another noun (e.g., “makeup artist”).

Make up for

To compensate for something lost or lacking (transitive, inseparable)

Make waves (idiomatic phrase)

To cause a strong public reaction or controversy

Make way (idiomatic phrase)

To clear a path for something

Frequently asked questions about phrasal verbs with make

Is it make do or make due?

It is make do not make due. “Make do” is one of the idioms and phrasal verbs with make, and it means “to manage with limited resources” (e.g., “The refrigerator is almost empty, but we can make do and cook eggs for dinner”). 

Have you tried the QuillBot Grammar Checker for help with common errors like “make due”? It can instantly show you the correct spelling for various idioms and phrasal verbs.

Is it makeup or make up?

It can be makeup or make up depending on which part of speech you’re using. “Makeup” and “make up” are both compound words, but they’re different parts of speech. “Make up” is a verb, and “makeup” is a noun.

 

“Make up” is a phrasal verb that means “to complete something unfinished,” “to invent,” or “to apply cosmetics” (e.g., “Every morning, I make myself up with mascara and lip gloss”). 

 

The noun “makeup” (no space) usually means “cosmetics” (e.g., “She uses a special mirror to apply makeup”). 

When you’re unsure about whether to use “makeup” or “make up” or how to write various phrasal verbs with make, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can instantly show you the correct choice.

Is it make-up or makeup?

It is usually makeup, not make-up. “Makeup” is a compound noun (a type of compound word) that doesn’t have a hyphen. “Makeup” usually means “cosmetics” (e.g., “The model’s makeup was natural and subtle”). “Makeup” comes from the phrasal verb “make up.” 

When you’re writing with phrasal verbs with make or compound words, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can instantly show you when to use a space, a hyphen, or one word.

What is the definition of make bank?

The definition of make bank is “to make a lot of money” (e.g., “Julian is currently making bank as a real estate agent”). It’s a slang word that’s similar to the idioms and phrasal verbs with make. 

Because “make bank” is very informal, you should usually avoid it in formal writing, but the QuillBot paraphrasing tool can show you formal alternatives.

What are the most common phrasal verbs in English?

The most common phrasal verbs in English include:

• Bring up (to raise)
• Call off (to cancel)
• Find out (to learn about)
• Give up (to stop trying)
• Get by (to survive)
• Put off (to postpone)
• Show up (to arrive)
• Take off (to leave or to remove)

Phrasal verbs are challenging because they are idioms, which means that they have figurative rather than literal meanings. Luckily, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you use them correctly in any piece of writing.