make over someone—(coll.) pay a lot of attention to smb.; make a fuss over a person: Why does she make over your sister so much? make someone over—change a person’s appearance: The hairstylist tried to make Carla over, but she wanted to be the way she had always been.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Make out someone and Make out with someone
make out someone— 1. manage to see a person, especially in the distance or in the dark: He thought that he could make out a human figure lying at the bottom of the pit. 2. (also: figure out someone) understand smb.’s character; find an explanation for a person’s behavior: What a queer fellow he is! […]
Difference between Make out a prescription and Make up a prescription
make out a prescription—(of a doctor) fill out a written order for a medicine: Many over-the-counter drugs are very difficult to get in other countries, so have your doctor make out a prescription as a precaution. make up a prescription—(of a chemist) prepare a mixture such as medicine: Physicians are not allowed to sell medicines […]
Difference between Make one’s own way and Make one’s way
make one’s own way—follow one’s inclinations; act independently: He wanted to find a new direction but could find no clues in contemporary art and had to make his own way. make one’s way— 1. proceed forward, especially with difficulty: As soon as he saw us, Henry made his way through the crowd to greet us […]
Difference between Make off with oneself and Make off with someone
make off with oneself—(rare) depart or leave a place suddenly: Dietrich had made off with himself … there was doubtless good reason for his wishing to be out of the way. make off with someone—(of lovers, etc.) run off with smb.; elope with a person: He readily admitted that he had made off with the […]
Difference between Make nothing of something and Make nothing out of something
make nothing of something— 1. treat smth. lightly: He said he’d call me the next morning. He didn’t call until early evening but I made nothing of it. 2. fail to understand smth.: The audience, used to jazz singers, satire companies or standup comedians, could make nothing of his work. make nothing out of something—make no […]
Difference between Make no mistake about it and There’s no mistake about it
make no mistake about it—is used as a warning that the statement is to be taken seriously: We shall insist on having every penny that is due to us, make no mistake about it. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase and no mistake—without any doubt (used after a statement to […]
Difference between Make no bones about something and Make one’s bones
make no bones about something—be blunt and straightforward about smth.; speak about smth. openly: Lovecraft made no bones about being a complete atheist. make one’s bones— 1. (Underworld) kill smb. as requirement for membership in a criminal gang: Vito Corleone “made his bones” (first killing) in cold blood for dollars. 2. (sl.) earn a reputation; […]
Difference between Make much of something and Not make much of something
make much of something—regard smth. as important; value smth. highly: We’ve always made much of our high literacy rate, but somehow that hasn’t made us into a nation of readers. not make much of something— 1. have a poor opinion of smth.; treat smth. as unimportant: He has never made much of his World War […]
Difference between Make light of something and Make light work of something
make light of something—treat smth. as unimportant: My parents made light of my worry and told me to take no notice of what people said. make light work of something—do smth. easily and without much effort: You have worked hard all year, and should be able to make light work of passing the examinations.
Difference between Make leeway and Make up leeway
make leeway—provide a margin of freedom, as of activity, time, or expenditure: Because we had to expand we had to get so much more machinery, so you make leeway for all this in the budget. make up leeway—compensate that which has been lost or wasted (by doing extra work, etc.): There is a short break […]
Difference between Make it up to someone and Make it up with someone
make it up to someone—compensate a person for negligence, difficulties, inconvenience, etc.: If you’ll work overtime tonight, I’ll make it up to you by giving you Saturday morning off. make it up with someone —(also: make up with someone) settle a quarrel; make one’s peace with a person: I really want to make it up […]