Meaning trap
make up
invent (a story, excuse, etc.)
To create something that is not true, such as a story or an excuse.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To create something that is not true, such as a story or an excuse.
Another meaning of 'make up' is 'become friends again after an argument'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- He made up an excuse for being late.communication
- In some situations, people might make up stories to avoid getting into trouble.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: make up something; make something up
WrongHe made up it.
RightHe made it up.
Separable: 'make up a story' or 'make a story up'; with a pronoun, 'make it up'.
Patternmake up something; make something up
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Make up' is the everyday verb for inventing a story/excuse; 'fabricated a justification' is formal/legalistic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make up + fictionan excusea storya namethe whole thing
Don't confuse it
'Make up' here is about inventing, not about becoming friends again.
Related
- make up (become friends again after an argument) — Another meaning of 'make up' is 'become friends again after an argument'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.