make out to — to write a cheque or official document to someone
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
To write someone’s name on a cheque or official document so that they will receive the money or benefit.
Say it like a native
Textbook Please write the cheque so that it is payable to John Smith.
Native Just make the cheque out to John Smith.
Natives 'make it out to someone'; the long 'payable to' form is bank-formal.
Pattern: make out [noun] to [someone]
In use
- Could you make the cheque out to my company, please?money
- If I win the prize, I’d ask them to make the cheque out to my charity so the money goes directly to a good cause.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Make the cheque out for John Smith.
✓ Make the cheque out to John Smith.
Payee takes 'to'; 'for' is the amount ('make it out for £50').
Common collocations
make a cheque out to— a cheque, payable to, who shall I make it out to, make it out to
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'make out' meaning 'see clearly' or 'kiss'.