# make sth up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/make-sth-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to invent a story, an excuse, or information that is not true.

For teachers: to fabricate or invent information, often for the purpose of deception or entertainment; transitive and optionally separable.

## Examples

- I had to make up an excuse for being late.
- The children love to make up stories about dragons and magic before they go to sleep.
- When questioned by the police regarding his whereabouts, the suspect attempted to make up a complex alibi involving several fictional witnesses.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He made up it." but "He made it up." — when the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- the object can be a noun like 'story', 'excuse', 'lie', or 'reason'.
- Teaching tip: distinguish this sense of 'invent' from other senses of 'make up' such as 'reconcile after an argument' or 'apply cosmetics'.

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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.