Phrasal verb
make up
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
make up
Past
made up
Past participle
made up
Definition
phrasal verb. to invent a story, an excuse, or an explanation that is not true. You often do this to avoid trouble or to entertain people.
phrasal verb. to invent or concoct a false story, excuse, or explanation. This transitive use is optionally separable, though pronouns must precede the particle.
Examples
“He had to make up an excuse for being late.”
“When the teacher asked for his homework, he made up a story about his dog eating it.”
“The witness was accused of making up the entire sequence of events to protect his business partner from prosecution.”
Examples
simple
“He had to make up an excuse for being late.”
contextual
“When the teacher asked for his homework, he made up a story about his dog eating it.”
complex
“The witness was accused of making up the entire sequence of events to protect his business partner from prosecution.”
Usage
The object can sit after the particle or between the verb and the particle.
Teaching tip
Contrast this sense with 'make up with someone' (to reconcile) and 'make up for something' (to compensate) to clarify the different meanings.
Pitfall
He made up it.
He made it up.
When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
make + up + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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