ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make it up to

idiom
Meaning

To pay back; to return someone a previous good deed.


Examples
SIMPLE

I am sorry I missed your party, let me make it up to you.

CONTEXTUAL

He felt terrible for forgetting their anniversary, so he booked a fancy dinner to make it up to her.

COMPLEX

After years of neglecting his responsibilities, he spent his final months trying to make it up to his family through acts of genuine service and kindness.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  3. 03

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  4. 04

    enough to make a cat laugh

    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  5. 05

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  6. 06

    fine feathers make fine birds

    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

  7. 07

    have it made

    To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty.

  8. 08

    it takes all kinds to make a world

    Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.

Last updated April 17, 2026