meɪk ʌp fɔːr
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- make
- Particles:
- up for
- Separable:
- No
What does "make up for" mean?
- To compensate for something bad or lost
- To do something to correct a mistake or wrong
- To balance or offset a deficiency
Examples
- I'll make up for being late by staying extra hours.
- Nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one.
- He tried to make up for his rude behaviour with flowers.
- Hard work can make up for lack of natural talent.
- The sunny afternoon made up for the rainy morning.
How to use it
Important phrase for expressing compensation or making amends. 'Make up for lost time' is a common expression meaning to do something quickly to compensate for a delay.
Similar expressions
compensate for
atone for
offset
redeem
Opposites
worsen
aggravate
Related phrasal verbs
- make up
To invent a story, excuse, or lie
- make out
To see, hear, or understand something with difficulty
- make off
To leave quickly, especially to escape
- make over
To change someone's appearance, especially with new clothes and hair
- make for
To move towards a place or thing
- stand up for
To defend or support someone or something
Use it in a practice answer
Try "make up for" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.