be friends again
We had a silly argument last night, but we've made up now.
make up — 6 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb6 meanings
make upsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
invent (a story, excuse, etc.)
He made up an excuse for being late.
become friends again after an argument
After their fight, they made up and went for coffee.
compensate for something lost or missed
She worked extra hours to make up for the time she missed.
form or be part of a whole
Women make up more than half of the company's staff.
constitute identity
Shared values and traditions make up the core of the community's identity.
Unlock the practice layer
Free: compare the meanings and see one natural example. Pro adds deeper examples, listening, saved confusing meanings, and review.
Meanings in detail
1. be friends again
B1informalspoken
To become friends again after a fight or argument.
We had a silly argument last night, but we've made up now.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock2. invent (a story, excuse, etc.)
B1neutralboth
To create something that is not true, such as a story or an excuse.
He made up an excuse for being late.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock3. become friends again after an argument
B1informalspoken
To forgive each other and be friendly again after a disagreement.
After their fight, they made up and went for coffee.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock4. compensate for something lost or missed
B2neutralboth
To do something to replace or fix a loss, mistake, or missed opportunity.
She worked extra hours to make up for the time she missed.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock5. form or be part of a whole
B2neutralboth
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.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock6. constitute identity
C1neutralboth
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.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlockTurn this confusion into speaking practice
Practise one meaning at a time, save confusing meanings, review later, and listen to natural examples when generated audio is ready.