make a profit — earn money
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To get more money from selling something or running a business than you spent on it.
Say it like a native
Textbook The company succeeded in generating a financial profit last year.
Native The company made a profit last year.
Natives 'make a profit' (or 'turn a profit'); 'generate a financial profit' is redundant and formal.
Pattern: make a profit (from/on something)
In use
- After a few months, the small café finally started to make a profit.money
- In my opinion, most companies aim to make a profit, but they should also consider their impact on society.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ The shop earned a profit.
✓ The shop made a profit.
You MAKE a profit; 'earn a profit' sounds unnatural.
Common collocations
make a profit— make, a healthy profit, turn a profit, at a profit
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'make money' in general, which can mean earning any money, not just more than you spent.