Meaning trap
make out
claim or pretend
To say or pretend that something is true, often when it is not.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To say or pretend that something is true, often when it is not.
Another meaning of 'make out' is 'see or understand with difficulty'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He made out that he was sick, but I think he just wanted a day off.
Some people make out that they are experts in a subject, even if they don't have much experience.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He made out to be rich.
Say: He made himself out to be rich. / He made out that he was rich.
Use 'make oneself out to be' or 'make out (that) + clause' — don't drop the reflexive.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Make out' is the casual way to say someone falsely claims something; the formal version is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make out + (that) claim
- that...
- to be
- he's fine
- it was easy
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- make out (see or understand with difficulty) — Another meaning of 'make out' is 'see or understand with difficulty'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.