make strange
To behave in a shy, uncommunicative, resistant manner when encountering an unfamiliar person or situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My toddler starts to make strange whenever a new babysitter arrives.”
“When the neighbors came over to visit, the baby began to make strange and hid behind her mother.”
“The child, usually quite outgoing, began to make strange as the unfamiliar guests entered the room, clinging tightly to his father's leg for comfort.”
- 01
absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
- 02
cannot make it
Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.
- 03
doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
- 04
enough to make a cat laugh
Very outlandish or outrageous.
- 05
enough to make the angels weep
Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.
- 06
fine feathers make fine birds
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
- 07
have it made
To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty.
- 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 August 10, 2026