Phrasal Verbs | Letter M

Here is a list of phrasal verbs beginning with M. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning / definition and example sentences.

Make out = understand, decipher, figure out, see or hear something clearly

• I can’t make out what this book is about. (= I can’t understand what this book is about.)
• Few people have managed to make out Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
• I can’t make out what object it is. (= I can’t clearly see what object it is.)
• These days just about everybody wants to make out in the show business. (= Just about everybody wants to succeed in the show business.)

Make out can also mean pretend.

• He made out that he was ill. (= He pretended that he was ill.)

Make for

To make for is to go towards.

• He made for the door. (= He went towards the door.)

Make up

To make something up is to invent it.

• He has made up a clever device to reduce fuel consumption.
• When asked why she was late, she made up a story that she had met with a minor accident.
• Vikram is very imaginative. He always makes things up.

To make up a fire is to put fuel on it.

• It was unbearably cold so we decided to make up a fire.

To make a face up is to put cosmetics on it.

• The beautician took hours to make her face up.

To make up for something is to compensate for it.

• Amar made up for being late by buying me drinks.

To make up one’s mind is to decide.

• Would you like vanilla or strawberry? Well, I can’t make up my mind. I think either will do.

Make it up

To make it up with somebody is to end a quarrel.

• Why not make it up with the old man? (= Why not end your quarrel with the old man?)

To make up to someone is to try to win his favour.

• Vicky wants a promotion so he is always making up to his boss. (= He is always trying to win the favour of his boss.)

Make over (separable)

To make something over is to do it again.

• The professor made me do my project over.