Phrasal Verb : Make Up

You've probably heard 'make up' (makeup) used as a noun for cosmetics, but did you know that it's also used as a phrasal verb? "Make up" is one of those phrasal verbs in English with so many different meanings and uses.

Makeup (noun) : a cosmetic worn on the face to change your appearance.

  • "She's wearing makeup."
  • "I don't put on makeup."
Here's the different meanings and uses of the phrasal verb "make up" in English:

Make up (Phrasal Verb)

Make up 1. To forgive / apologize with someone and to be friends again after a fight or argument.

Example Sentences

  • I often fight with my brother but we always make up soon after.
  • She came back and they made up.
  • I'll make it up with him again.
  • Let's make up and stop the fight.
  • The couple made up after a big argument last night.

Make up 2. To invent a story (not true)

Example Sentences

  • I don’t believe you. You made the whole story up!
  • Did you just make up that story?
  • I'm not good at making up stories.
  • Are you really telling the truth or you just made that up?
  • I'm not making it up. The character exists in real life.

Make up 3. Compensate (make up work that was missed due to a miss or absence at a later point)

Example Sentences

  • May I leave work earlier today and make up tomorrow?
  • I have to make up an English exam.
  • The company needs to make up for this loss in coming months.
  • Bob is trying to make up for lost time.
  • He realized he would have to make up the losses someday.


Make up 4. Constitute (be a part of a whole)

Example Sentences

  • People over 65 make up 30% of the population.
  • By 2020, it is estimated that five billion people will be online, making up two-thirds the population of the planet.
  • Muslims make up 55% of the population.
  • Road accident victims make up almost a quarter of the hospital's patients
  • Children make up a large proportion of the world's population.





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