# make up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/make-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to invent a story, an excuse, or an explanation that is not true. You often do this to avoid trouble or to entertain people.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He made up it." but "He made it up." — When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.