make sport for someone—provide amusement for a person: The squire made sport for the children of the village by engaging a Circus for the week. make sport of someone—ridicule smb.; jest at a person: We made sport of the old couple who kept the Bull; and they deserved it for always giving short measures.
Difference between Make someone’s blood boil and Make someone’s blood freeze
make someone’s blood boil—make smb. very angry or indignant: It used to make my blood boil to think that such things couldn’t be prevented. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase warm someone’s blood—(also: warm someone’s heart) make a person feel eager or excited: The real estate section of the […]
Difference between Make someone open his eyes and Make someone open his eyes wide
make someone open his eyes— 1. make smb. stare in surprise; amaze a person greatly: It really makes me open my eyes in amazement when people think it is impossible to live like this. 2. cause a person to realize smth.; make smb. see reason: It was the humiliation in Adelaide that made them open […]
Difference between Make play with something and Play about with something
make play with something—make effective use of smth.: Clever politicians make play with the subject for their own ends, and the general result is confusion, extravagance, and injustice. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make a play for something—make a conspicuous attempt to gain or acquire smth.: Tony is left […]
Difference between Make over something and Make something over
make over something—(coll.) pay a lot of attention to smth.; make a fuss over smth.: Aunt Jane made over the wedding gifts as if they were for her instead of Susan. make something over—remake or refashion smth.: I’ll have to make this dress over, it’s all the wrong shape. See also: do something over / […]
Difference between Make over someone and Make someone over
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.
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 […]