make out — claim or pretend
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
To say or pretend that something is true, often when it is not.
Say it like a native
Textbook He attempts to convey the impression that he is an expert.
Native He makes out he's some kind of expert.
'Make out' is the casual way to say someone falsely claims something; the formal version is wordy.
Pattern: make out (that) + clause
In use
- He made out that he was sick, but I think he just wanted a day off.communication
- Some people make out that they are experts in a subject, even if they don't have much experience.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He made out that to be rich.
✓ He made out that he was rich. / He made himself out to be rich.
Use 'make out (that) + clause' or 'make someone out to be'.
Common collocations
make out + (that) claim— that..., to be, he's fine, it was easy
Don't confuse it
'Make out' (to claim or pretend) is different from 'make up' (to invent).
Related
- make out (see or understand with difficulty) — Another meaning of 'make out' is 'see or understand with difficulty'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.