make it hot for someone—(coll.) put smb. under pressure; make things difficult for a person: Maybe if we make it hot for them, they’ll leave. make someone hot— 1. cause a person to feel warm: I had to stay on the magnesium for another ten hours. It made me hot and nauseous and disoriented. 2. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Make it a federal case and Make out a case for something
make it a federal case —(also: make a federal case out of it) complain too much; exaggerate the importance of smth.: I’m not the only person in the family who smokes, but they’re going to make it a federal case. make out a case for something—(also: make a case for something) give good reasons why […]
Difference between Make hay of something and Make hay while the sun shines
make hay of something— 1. turn smth. to advantage: As long as politicians can make hay of the supposed “harm” caused to our citizens … they will be an annoyingly persistent part of the political landscape. 2. scatter things around in disorder: I recalled with poignant regret that Jack Winston and I had once made […]
Difference between Make free with someone and Make someone free
make free with someone—be too familiar or impudent in one’s behavior with a person: Having been with him and his family in Loch Broom I had the misfortune to make too free with a servant maid. make someone free —(also: set someone free) release a person from prison, slavery, etc.: Scott sued for his freedom […]
Difference between Make free of something and Make free with something
make free of something—be allowed or have the right to use smth. that belongs to smb. else: In some cases a couple would actually build for themselves a single cottage, but as a rule they were content to make free of each other’s private homes. make free with something—use smth. that belongs to smb. else […]
Difference between Make for something and Make up for something
make for something— 1. move or travel towards a place: We had now reached the Windward Passage and our old ship was making for the open sea. 2. promote smth.; contribute to smth.: Any international accord makes for a better understanding and recognizes the need for co-operative effort. make up for something—compensate or repay for […]
Difference between Make down a bed and Make up a bed
make down a bed—prepare sleeping accommodation not previously available (when one has a visitor, etc.): Are you going to sleep here tonight; if you are, my wife will make down a bed for you. make up a bed— = make down a bed: She made him up a bed on the high white divan in […]
Difference between Make difficulties and Present difficulties
make difficulties—raise objections; make trouble: Mary’s father made difficulties when she said she wanted to marry a poor schoolteacher. present difficulties —(of things) create problems: The air-boat seems to us one of the best ideas; but the working of it presents many difficulties.
Difference between Make capital out of something and Make money out of something
make capital out of something—use a situation to one’s advantage: The women to whom Napoleon addressed himself were no longer adventuresses, who made capital out of their relations with him. make money out of something—gain or acquire money through some source: He had heard of people who made money out of shares, but that was […]
Difference between Make an observation and Take an observation
make an observation—(usually pl.) 1. monitor smth. carefully in order to examine: Mr. Thornton made numerous observations of the snow-clad peak. 2. determine the position of the sun or other heavenly body: An officer and two men were also stationed on land and were prepared to make observations. 3. make a remark or comment on […]
Difference between Make an exception for something and Make an exception to something
make an exception for something—treat smth. as a special case (as a token of particular favor or because of its unusual quality): Miss Clark did not attend films of which she had read the book, but she had made an exception for the trilogy. make an exception to something—refrain from applying or enforcing a rule, […]
Difference between Make an end of something and Put an end to something
make an end of something—abolish or eliminate smth.: The new meaning of a word, whatever it may be, does not make an end of the old. put an end to something—stop smth. from happening any more: The government is determined to put an end to terrorism.