Meaning trap

make out

progress romantically

To kiss and touch someone in a sexual or romantic way, often as a precursor to further intimacy.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

progress romantically

To kiss and touch someone in a sexual or romantic way, often as a precursor to further intimacy.

make out (see or understand with difficulty)

'make out' also has the more basic meaning 'see or understand with difficulty'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

They were making out behind the gym after the party.relationships
While some people believe public displays of affection, such as making out, are inappropriate, others see them as a natural expression of emotion.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: make out (with someone)

WrongThey made out together for the first time.

RightThey made out for the first time.

'Make out' is already reciprocal — 'together' is redundant; you 'make out WITH someone'.

Patternmake out (with someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff They were engaging in passionate kissing on the sofa.

Natural They were making out on the couch.

'Make out' is the casual term for kissing; the formal description sounds clinical.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

make out + with/where
with someoneon the couchat the partyin the car

Don't confuse it

This sense is unrelated to the B1 meaning of 'see or understand with difficulty' and the B2 meaning of 'claim or pretend.' Here, 'make out' refers to romantic or sexual activity, not perception or assertion.

make out (see or understand with difficulty) — 'make out' also has the more basic meaning 'see or understand with difficulty'; this is the advanced sense.

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