Reading Theme:
Make Up Phrasal Verb: Meanings, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：compose (make up)
make up
/ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/
phr.v.
to form the whole of something by combining different parts.
compose
➕
/kəmˈpoʊz/
phr.v.
To constitute or form the entirety of something by being its components.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Made from 'make' (O.E. 'macian') + 'up' (O.E. 'upp'), forming a versatile phrasal verb.
💡 Mnemonic
Cake: make up ingredients (compose), make up time (compensate), make up story (invent).
📖 Example
The team is made up of people from six different countries.
The team is composed of people from six different countries.
🔗 Collocations
be made up of – consist of
make up the majority – constitute the largest portion
make up a part of – form a portion of
🔄 Synonyms
comprise (v.) – to consist of
constitute (v.) – to be the parts that make up something
form (v.) – to be the elements that create something
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
makeup (n.) – the composition or constitution of something; cosmetics
📖 Cultural Story
'Make up' first appeared in the 16th century meaning 'to compose'. The sense 'to invent' emerged in the 18th century. Modern 'makeup' for cosmetics dates from the 19th century.
Meaning 2：compensate (make up)
make up
/ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/
phr.v.
to do something to correct a mistake or balance something that was lost.
compensate
➕
/ˈkɑːmpənseɪt/
phr.v.
To do something to correct a mistake or to make amends for something lost or missed.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I need to make up the hours I missed at work last week.
I need to compensate for the hours I missed at work last week.
🔗 Collocations
make up for – compensate for
make up lost time – recover the time that was wasted
make up a deficiency – fill a shortfall
🔄 Synonyms
compensate for (v.) – to offset a loss or error
offset (v.) – to counterbalance something
remedy (v.) – to correct a problem
Meaning 3：fabricate (make up)
make up
/ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/
phr.v.
to create something that is not true, usually a story or an excuse.
fabricate
➕
/ˈfæbrɪkeɪt/
phr.v.
To create a fictitious or false account, story, or excuse.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He made up a funny story to explain why he was late.
He fabricated a funny story to explain why he was late.
🔗 Collocations
make up a story – invent a tale
make up an excuse – create a false reason
make up a lie – tell an untruth
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
make-believe (n.) – the act of pretending or imagining
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser