# make it up to

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/make-it-up-to
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I am sorry I missed your party, let me make it up to you.
- He felt terrible for forgetting their anniversary, so he booked a fancy dinner to make it up to her.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.