make up — 4 meanings

One phrase, 4 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb4 meanings

make up

invent

become friends again

compensate for something lost or missed

form or be part of a whole

Meaning 1 · most common

invent

a story, excuse, etc.

make up sth

To create something that is not true, such as a story or an excuse.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He made up an excuse for being late.

A: Did you really see a celebrity at the café?
B: No, I just made it up.

Common mistake

Not: He made ~~up it.~~

Say: He made it up.

Separable: 'make up a story' or 'make a story up'; with a pronoun, 'make it up'.

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

Another example

In some situations, people might make up stories to avoid getting into trouble.

Tell it apart

He made up an excuse.

invented it — not true

They made up after the row.

became friends again

Goes with

make up + fiction

Practice saying this

Next meaning: become friends again

Meaning 2

become friends again

make up with sb
informal

To forgive each other and be friendly again after a disagreement.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After their fight, they made up and went for coffee.

A: Are you still angry with your sister?
B: No, we made up yesterday.

Common mistake

Not: They made up their argument.

Say: They made up after their argument.

You 'make up WITH someone' / 'make up AFTER an argument', not 'make up the argument'.

More on “become friends again”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

It's important to make up with friends after disagreements to keep good relationships.

Tell it apart

They argued, then made up.

became friends again

He made up an excuse.

invented it

Goes with

make up + reconcile

Practice saying this

Next meaning: compensate for something lost or missed

Meaning 3

compensate for something lost or missed

make up for sth

To do something to replace or fix a loss, mistake, or missed opportunity.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She worked extra hours to make up for the time she missed.

A: I’m sorry I forgot your birthday.
B: Don’t worry, you can make up for it next year.

Common mistake

Not: I'll make up the lost time later.

Say: I'll make up for the lost time later.

To compensate, it's 'make up FOR' something. ('Make up' without 'for' means invent or reconcile.)

More on “compensate for something lost or missed”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many students try to make up for poor grades by studying harder in the next term.

Tell it apart

I'll make up for it next week.

compensate

He made up an excuse.

invented one

Goes with

make up for

Practice saying this

Next meaning: form or be part of a whole

Meaning 4

form or be part of a whole

make up sth

To combine together to create something, or to be a part of something larger.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Women make up more than half of the company's staff.

A: What makes up a healthy diet?
B: Lots of vegetables, fruits, and some protein.

Common mistake

Not: Students make up of 60% of the audience.

Say: Students make up 60% of the audience.

'Make up' takes the proportion directly — no 'of' after 'make up'.

More on “form or be part of a whole”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

International students make up a significant part of the university population.

Tell it apart

Migrants make up a third of the city.

form that proportion

He made up a story.

invented it

Goes with

make up + proportion

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

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Turn this into speaking practice

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invent become friends again compensate for something lost or missed form or be part of a whole