12 Phrases with Make

In this lesson we look at the various ways to use make in phrases.

Match Game

Can you match the phrases with the meanings? See study guide below.

How to learn words using Quizlet.

Idioms with Make

Below are 24 idioms using make.

01 Make it up to (you)
This phrase means to do something nice for someone you have upset

I am sorry I forgot your birthday. Let me make it up to you.
I am sorry I made you upset. I will make it up to you.

02 Make or break
This phrase means to be the factor if something succeeds or fails.

This deal will make or break us. We need to get it.
Don't worry. This is not a make or break deal.

03 Make the cut
This phrase means to succeed at something or meet a requirement.

Most authors don't make the cut and their books are rejected.
A lot of students did not make the cut and failed out school.

04 Make do
This phrase means to manage with little resources

We were a poor family, but my mom was always able to make do.
We don't have much to cook with, but this should make do.

05 Make enemies
This phrase means to create a bad or hostile relationship with people.

You do not want to make enemies with him.
In my life, I have made a few enemies.

06 Make a fuss
This phrase means to become angry or to complain about something.

Some people always make a fuss about everything.
Stop complaining. Don't make a fuss.

07 Make the grade
This phrase means to succeed at something or meet a requirement.

At my work I couldn't make the grade, so I was fired.
Not everyone can make the grade.

08 Make your head spin
This phrase means to feel confused or dizzy.

The national debt is so huge. It makes my head spin.
When you think about how old the planet is, it makes your head spin.

09 Make it out alive
This phrase means to survive a deadly situation.

Sadly, in the fire, many people did not make it out alive.
We were lucky to make it out alive.

10 Make light of
This phrase means to treat something as unimportant

You should not make light of the situation.
Not to make light of this, but is this really a big deal?

11 Make a killing
This phrase means to have a great financial success

He made a killing in sales.
Our company made a killing with that product.

12 Make a last ditch effort
This phrase means a desperate final attempt

We made a latch ditch effort to save the company.
They made a last ditch effort to land the plane.

13 Make a mountain out of a mole hill
This phrase means to make a big problem about something that is small

It is not a big deal. Stop making a mountain out of a mole hill.
The media often makes a mountain out of a mole hill.

14 Make your mouth water
This is when food looks or smells so good you want to eat it right away.

The smell of this fresh bread is making my mouth water.
The smell from the kitchen made my mouth water.

15 Make it on time
This phrase means to arrive on time

I think we cam make it on time.
We did not make it on time. We missed our flight.

16 Make a point
This phrase means to justify or support an idea.

You made a good point, but I still disagree with you.
Let me make one last point.

17 Make out like a bandit
This phrase means to get a lot of something for little cost or for free

When he retired, he made out like a bandit.
We made out like a bandit on the deal with our car.

18 Make a ruckus
This phrase means to make a lot of noise, or to be really loud

Some people are making a ruckus in the street. What's going on?
The students started making a ruckus in class, and teacher got upset.

19 Make headway
This phrase means a forward movement or progress, especially when things are slow or difficult.

We are finally making headway on this deal.
They have not made much headway on the project.

20 Make up your mind
This phrase means to finally make a decision about something

Please make up your mind and decide.
I cannot make up my mind.

21 Make it
This phrase means to become successful

In business, you need to fake it until you make it.
I didn't make it until I was nearly 40.

22 Make from scratch
This phrase means to make something without any help or packaged materials

I made this soup from scratch.
I built my car from scratch using old parts.

23 Make waves
This phrase means to cause problems by making suggestions or criticisms.

She is always making waves at the meetings.
Don't say anything, you will just make waves.

24 Make your blood boil
This phrase means to become you extremely upset

This report really makes my blood boil.
When I heard the news, it really made my blood boil.

25 Make your day
This phrase means to make you really happy or pleased.

Your gift really made my day.
When you stopped by, it really made her day.