To become friends again after a fight or argument.
We had a silly argument last night, but we've made up now.
A: Are you two still not talking? B: No, we made up this morning.
We made up, so it's all good. (casual) We've sorted things out and we're fine now. (polite)
Common mistake
✗We made up our fight.
✓We had a fight, but we made up.
You 'make up' (with someone) — you don't 'make up' the fight itself.
Tell it apart
We fell out, then made up.
became friends again
He made up an excuse.
invented it
Use it after a disagreement; 'make up with [person]' names who you patched things up with.'Make up' = end the conflict and be okay again; 'clear the air' is the honest talk that gets you there.
To create something that is not true, such as a story or an excuse.
He made up an excuse for being late.
A: Did you really see a celebrity at the café? B: No, I just made it up.
In some situations, people might make up stories to avoid getting into trouble.
Common mistake
✗He made up it.
✓He made it up.
Separable: 'make up a story' or 'make a story up'; with a pronoun, 'make it up'.
Tell it apart
He made up an excuse.
invented it — not true
They made up after the row.
became friends again
Use 'make up' when talking about inventing information, not for making physical objects.'Make up' here is about inventing, not about becoming friends again.
To combine together to create something, or to be a part of something larger.
Women make up more than half of the company's staff.
A: What makes up a healthy diet? B: Lots of vegetables, fruits, and some protein.
International students make up a significant part of the university population.
Common mistake
✗Students make up of 60% of the audience.
✓Students make up 60% of the audience.
'Make up' takes the proportion directly — no 'of' after 'make up'.
Tell it apart
Migrants make up a third of the city.
form that proportion
He made up a story.
invented it
'Make up' is more common in spoken English; use 'consist of' in formal writing.This sense is about the parts of something, not inventing or relationships.
To form the essential qualities or characteristics that define something's identity, especially in an abstract or conceptual sense.
Shared values and traditions make up the core of the community's identity.
A: What do you think makes up a person's character? B: I suppose it's a mix of upbringing, experiences, and personal choices.
When discussing what makes up a national identity, it is important to consider language, history, and shared beliefs.
Common mistake
✗These traits make up of who she is.
✓These traits make up who she is.
'Make up' takes the object directly — no 'of'. (The passive is 'be made up of'.)
Tell it apart
Five regions make up the country.
form / constitute it
Let's make up a story.
invent it
Use this sense when discussing what defines or characterizes something in an abstract or conceptual way, such as a culture, personality, or philosophy. It is common in academic, discursive, and analytical contexts.Unlike the B2 sense 'form or be part of a whole', which refers to physical or concrete components, this sense is used for abstract qualities or features that define the identity or essence of something.