The verb 'make' alone means to create or produce something. 'Make a cake.' 'Make a decision.' But when 'make' combines with a particle, it makes phrasal verbs with very different meanings — many of them strongly idiomatic. 'Make up' (invent / reconcile / apply makeup). 'Make out' (manage / understand with difficulty / pretend). 'Make for' (head toward). 'Make do' (manage with what you have). 'Make off with' (steal). 'Make of' (interpret). 'Make over' (transform). 'Make up for' (compensate). Each is its own fixed expression. Many have multiple meanings — 'make up' alone has at least three common meanings. Students need to learn each phrasal verb and watch for context. The lesson is seventh in the verb-root phrasal verb series after get, put, take, come/go, look, and relationship-themed.
Before you start — think honestly about your own teaching and experience.
Look at the examples. Answer each question before reading the explanation — this is how your students will learn too.
My little brother made up a story to explain why he was late.
It was hard to make out what he said in the noisy room.
The runners made for the finish line as fast as they could.
We will have to make do with what we have.
The thief made off with my wallet.
What do you make of his strange behaviour?
The two friends made up after their argument.
She is wearing a lot of make-up tonight. (note: noun form, not verb)
What does 'make' mean in each sentence? Can you guess the meanings?
'Make' alone means create or produce. But in each sentence here, make combines with a particle to make a different meaning. 'Make up' has at least three meanings — invent (made up a story), reconcile (made up after argument), and apply cosmetics (also a noun: makeup). 'Make out' means manage or understand with difficulty (could not make out what he said). 'Make for' means head toward (made for the finish line). 'Make do' means manage with what you have (make do with limited resources). 'Make off with' means steal or take quickly (the thief made off with my wallet). 'Make of' means interpret (what do you make of this?). The make phrasal verbs are particularly idiomatic — the meanings cannot be guessed from the parts. Students need to learn each as its own fixed expression. The multiple meanings of 'make up' especially need attention.
1. INVENT a story or excuse:
The child made up a story to avoid trouble.
He made up an excuse for being late.
2. RECONCILE after an argument:
The two sisters made up after months of not speaking.
3. APPLY MAKEUP (cosmetics — usually as a noun):
She is putting on her makeup before the wedding. (noun)
Also (less common):
4. MAKE UP FOR (compensate, balance out):
I worked late to make up for the time I missed.
Why does 'make up' have so many meanings? How can students choose the right one?
'Make up' is one of the most idiomatic phrasal verbs in English. It has multiple meanings, and context tells which is intended. With a story or excuse → invent. With after an argument → reconcile. With cosmetics → apply makeup (or as noun, makeup). With 'for' (make up for) → compensate or balance out. Each meaning is common; students need to recognise all four. The trick is reading the context. 'He made up a story' (invented). 'They made up' (reconciled). 'She put on her makeup' (cosmetics — noun form). 'I will make up for it' (compensate). Students who try to use 'make up' for unrelated meanings produce confusion. Teaching the multiple meanings explicitly prevents this. Other make phrasal verbs (make out, make for, make do) have clearer single meanings — make up is the multi-meaning one.
We could not afford a real holiday, so we made do with a weekend at home.
There is no fresh water, but we will have to make do with what we have.
The broken machine still works — we will make do until we can replace it.
Make do is unusual — it does not have an object.
It is followed by 'with' + the thing you are using:
make do with X = manage with X (when X is not ideal)
Why is 'make do' useful?
'Make do' is a unique phrasal verb — it captures the idea of managing with limited resources. 'We made do with what we had' is a common situation in many lives. The grammar: 'make do with + thing' (the thing you have to use, even though it is not ideal). 'Make do without' (manage without something) is also possible. Common contexts: tight budget (make do with cheap food), limited resources (make do with old equipment), unexpected situations (make do with what is available). The phrase has a slight resigned tone — accepting limitations rather than complaining. Useful in many adult life situations. Students who know it can describe practical realities — making do is a universal experience. The phrasal verb cannot be split — always 'make do' together.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| make up | 1. Invent / 2. Reconcile / 3. Apply makeup | He made up a story. / They made up. / She does her makeup. | Multiple meanings — context decides. |
| make up for | Compensate, balance out | I worked late to make up for lost time. | Three-word phrasal verb. With 'for'. |
| make out | Manage / understand with difficulty / pretend | He made out OK. / Could not make out his words. / She made out she was unaware. | Three meanings — context decides. |
| make for | Head toward, go in the direction of | They made for the exit when the alarm rang. | For movement towards a destination. |
| make do | Manage with what you have (when not ideal) | We made do with old equipment. | Always followed by 'with + thing' or 'without + thing'. |
| make off with | Steal, take and run away | The thief made off with the money. | Three-word phrasal verb. Often about theft. |
| make of | Interpret, understand the meaning | What do you make of his behaviour? | Often in questions: 'What do you make of...?' |
| make over | Transform, give a new look | They made over the old house. | Often about renovation or transformation. |
| make up your mind | Decide | Make up your mind — yes or no? | Idiomatic — about decisions. |
NOTE 1 — Make up has multiple meanings: Invent (a story), reconcile (after argument), apply makeup (cosmetics). Context tells which. Students need to recognise all three.
NOTE 2 — Make do has a unique grammar: Always 'make do with + thing' or 'make do without + thing'. Cannot be split. Always together.
NOTE 3 — Three-word phrasal verbs: 'Make off with' (steal) and 'make up for' (compensate) are three-word phrasal verbs. The three words stay together. 'Make off' alone is uncommon; 'make off with X' is standard.
NOTE 4 — Make of for interpretation: 'What do you make of...?' is a common question form. Asking for interpretation or opinion. 'I do not know what to make of his strange behaviour' = I cannot interpret it.
NOTE 5 — Avoid the noun confusion: 'Makeup' (cosmetics — noun, often one word) is different from the verb 'make up' (multiple meanings). Context tells which form. The noun is often hyphenated in older English (make-up) or written as one word in modern English (makeup).
Make phrasal verbs are particularly idiomatic. Students who learn them gain access to many useful expressions. The multiple meanings of 'make up' especially need attention — context tells which meaning is intended. Connects to other phrasal verb lessons (get, put, take, come/go, look) — together they cover the main verb-root phrasal verb groups. Make is one of the most productive verbs in English phrasal verbs, with strong everyday and written use.
Drill the multiple meanings of 'make up' specifically. Use sentences in different contexts — story (invent), argument (reconcile), cosmetics (apply makeup), missed time (make up for). Students should recognise the context cues for each meaning. Drill until automatic. The other make phrasal verbs (make out, make for, make do) have clearer single meanings.
Choose the correct make phrasal verb for each sentence.
Each sentence has a problem with a make phrasal verb. Suggest a better version and explain.
Use this sequence directly in class — guided discovery, no textbook needed. Tap each step to mark it done.
STEP 1 — Make alone vs make with particles (4 min): Write 'make' on the board. Ask students what make alone means (create, produce). Then add particles: make up, make out, make for, make do, make off with. Show that each has its own meaning, often very different from make alone.
STEP 2 — Make up — three meanings (8 min): Spend focused time on the multiple meanings. Make up = invent (a story). Make up = reconcile (after argument). Make up = apply makeup (cosmetics — also a noun). Show context cues for each meaning. Practise five sentences for each meaning.
STEP 3 — Make out, make for, make do (7 min): Drill three more useful make phrasal verbs. Make out (understand with difficulty, manage). Make for (head toward). Make do (manage with limited resources). Match each to a context. Practise five examples each.
STEP 4 — Make off with and make of (5 min): Drill the three-word phrasal verbs. Make off with (steal — three words). Make of (interpret — usually in questions). 'What do you make of X?' Practise five examples.
STEP 5 — Match phrasal verb to situation (6 min): Give six situations. Inventing a story (make up). Stealing money (make off with). Reconciling after argument (make up). Managing with limited resources (make do with). Heading toward an exit (make for). Asking for interpretation (make of). Discuss as a class.
Use directly in class — copy, adapt, or read aloud. No printing needed.
For each strategy, choose the option that best describes where you are now.
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