Make up for
phrasal verb
To compensate for something bad with something good.
She made up for being late by working later in the evening.
Often appears as...
- make up for lost time
- make up for mistakes
phrasal verb
To do something as a way of correcting or improving a bad situation.
He studied very hard to make up for his previous laziness.
Often appears as...
- make up for lost opportunities
- make up for negligence
phrasal verb
To replace or fill something lost or missed.
He agreed to work on the weekend to make up for the lost time.
Often appears as...
- make up for missed work
- make up for absence
phrasal verb
To compensate for something bad with something good.
She made up for being late by working later in the evening.
Often appears as...
- make up for lost time
- make up for mistakes
phrasal verb
To do something as a way of correcting or improving a bad situation.
He studied very hard to make up for his previous laziness.
Often appears as...
- make up for lost opportunities
- make up for negligence
phrasal verb
To replace or fill something lost or missed.
He agreed to work on the weekend to make up for the lost time.
Often appears as...
- make up for missed work
- make up for absence
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Balance
Used when someone tries to emotionally rectify a mistake or bad experience.
After forgetting her birthday, he made up for it with a surprise party.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Equal
The action to 'make up for' something doesn't always completely fix the situation.
He tried to make up for the argument with flowers.
Pro Tip 3/3Positive Action
Involves an action that is positively viewed and attempts to improve a previous negative situation.
To make up for the canceled trip, they went to a local amusement park.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Balance
Used when someone tries to emotionally rectify a mistake or bad experience.
After forgetting her birthday, he made up for it with a surprise party.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Equal
The action to 'make up for' something doesn't always completely fix the situation.
He tried to make up for the argument with flowers.
Pro Tip 3/3Positive Action
Involves an action that is positively viewed and attempts to improve a previous negative situation.
To make up for the canceled trip, they went to a local amusement park.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Balance
Used when someone tries to emotionally rectify a mistake or bad experience.
After forgetting her birthday, he made up for it with a surprise party.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Equal
The action to 'make up for' something doesn't always completely fix the situation.
He tried to make up for the argument with flowers.
Pro Tip 3/3Positive Action
Involves an action that is positively viewed and attempts to improve a previous negative situation.
To make up for the canceled trip, they went to a local amusement park.
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