make out — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

make out

see or understand with difficulty claim or pretend progress romantically

Meaning 1 · most common

see or understand with difficulty

make out sth

To see, hear, or understand something or someone with difficulty, often because it is unclear or far away.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

It was so foggy that I could barely make out the road ahead.

A: Can you read what that sign says?
B: Not really, I can't make it out from here.

Common mistake

Not: I couldn't make out of his handwriting.

Say: I couldn't make out his handwriting.

'Make out' takes the object directly — no 'of'.

More on “see or understand with difficulty”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the listening test, sometimes the recording isn't very clear, so it's hard to make out every word.

Tell it apart

I could just make out a shape in the fog.

barely see it

I could clearly see the shape.

see it easily

Goes with

make out + faint thing

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Next meaning: claim or pretend

Meaning 2

claim or pretend

make out sth clause

To say or pretend that something is true, often when it is not.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He made out that he was sick, but I think he just wanted a day off.

A: Did Sarah really finish the project by herself?
B: She made out that she did, but I know Tom helped her.

Common mistake

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.

More on “claim or pretend”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some people make out that they are experts in a subject, even if they don't have much experience.

Tell it apart

He makes out he's broke.

pretends / falsely claims

He pointed out he's broke.

stated it as a true fact

Goes with

make out + (that) claim

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Next meaning: progress romantically

Meaning 3

progress romantically

make out with sb
informal

To kiss and touch someone in a sexual or romantic way, often as a precursor to further intimacy.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

They were making out behind the gym after the party.

A: Did you see Jamie and Alex at the concert last night?
B: Yeah, they were totally making out during the last song.

Common mistake

Not: They made out ~~together~~ for the first time.

Say: They made out for the first time.

'Make out' is already reciprocal — 'together' is redundant; you 'make out WITH someone'.

More on “progress romantically”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

While some people believe public displays of affection, such as making out, are inappropriate, others see them as a natural expression of emotion.

Tell it apart

They were making out at the party.

kissing — AmE informal

I couldn't make out what they were saying.

barely hear / understand

Goes with

make out + with/where

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see or understand with difficulty claim or pretend progress romantically