make a party—arrange a social gathering, especially of invited guests at a private house: Every evening there is somewhere in this building a party. And if there wouldn’t be any, you be sure we invent a reason to make a party! make up a party—form a group of people for purposes of entertainment, recreation, etc.: […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Make a noise and Make noises
make a noise— 1. talk very much about smth.; make smth. the object of general comment: For all the great noise that is made about it, there is but little true faith in the world. 2. complain or argue about smth. in order to draw attention to it: The women were making a lot of […]
Difference between Make a move on someone and Move in on someone
make a move on someone— 1. move towards a person in a threatening way: He fell dead on the floor, clutching a knife in his hand, cut down before he made a move on the man who has challenged his dignity. 2. (coll.) approach a woman in the hope of establishing a romantic relationship (also: […]
Difference between Make a move and Make one’s move
make a move— 1. move from a stationary position: The robber said that if any of us made a move he would shoot. 2. leave the place: We’d better make a move now, or we’ll be here all night. 3. change one’s place of sojourn: The first holidayseekers are making a move to the seaside. […]
Difference between Make a monkey of someone and Monkey someone
make a monkey of someone—(U.S. sl.) mock a person; cause smb. to look ridiculous (also: make a monkey out of someone): At the thought of George Zen laughed outright. She had made a monkey of him, and he deserved all he had got. monkey someone—imitate smb.’s manner or style: Speaking about original bands (meaning not […]
Difference between Make a meal from something and Make a meal of something
make a meal from something—prepare a meal using certain ingredients: The men made a meal from bread and the meat that had been cooked the night before. make a meal of something— 1. create a meal of smth., especially with the implication that one wouldn’t expect it to be a complete or regular meal: You […]
Difference between Make a mark in something and Make the grade in something
make a mark in something—(also: make one’s mark in something) leave a lasting impression; make oneself well-known in a certain field: The photographs of community members who made a mark in their area of activity adorn the walls. make the grade—do acceptable work; reach the proper standard: The country still has a long way to […]
Difference between Make a life for oneself and Make a living for oneself
make a life for oneself—construct a good, decent life for oneself (having a job, home, etc.): I don’t feel an affinity to any one place and am willing to move to almost anywhere in order to make a life for myself. make a living for oneself—earn enough to support oneself: It was a time when […]
Difference between Make a kill and Make a killing
make a kill—(of an animal) perform an act of killing: Male lions are rather reticent about expending their energy in hunting—more than three-quarters of kills are made by lionesses. make a killing —(coll.) win or earn suddenly a large sum of money; make an enormous profit: The company made a killing from the sale of […]
Difference between Make a joke about something and Make a joke of something
make a joke about something—tell ridiculous things about smth. so as to cause fun: Adam is able to make good jokes about Cambridge. make a joke of something— 1. turn smth. into a joke: “Oh, it’s you, Mr. Wormold. I was just thinking of you. Talk of the devil,” he said, making a joke of […]
Difference between Make a fortune and Make one’s fortune
make a fortune—make a lot of money: I exploited these unhappy natives to make a fortune for myself. We colonialists thought only of private gain. make one’s fortune—attain a comfortable position in life: Exiled to Canada where he made his fortune, he lost touch with his three sisters. Cf.: seek one’s fortune—try to attain personal […]
Difference between Make a face and Make face
make a face— 1. show one’s dislike or disgust by one’s facial expression: Every time I mentioned taking a swim in the lake Jack made a face. 2. sketch, draw, or model a face: After you’ve played with the controls a bit, and you’ve made a face that you’re happy with, type in a name for […]