Antonyms for making up


Grammar : Verb
Spell : meyk
Phonetic Transcription : meɪk


Definition of making up

Origin :
  • Old English macian "to make, form, construct, do; prepare, arrange, cause; behave, fare, transform," from West Germanic *makon "to fashion, fit" (cf. Old Saxon makon, Old Frisian makia "to build, make," Middle Dutch and Dutch maken, Old High German mahhon "to construct, make," German machen "to make"), from PIE *mag- "to knead, mix; to fashion, fit" (see macerate). If so, sense evolution perhaps is via prehistoric houses built of mud. Gradually replaced the main Old English word, gewyrcan (see work (v.)).
  • Meaning "to arrive at" (a place), first attested 1620s, originally was nautical. Formerly used in many places where specific verbs now are used, e.g. to make Latin (c.1500) "to write Latin compositions." This broader usage survives in some phrases, e.g. to make water "to urinate," to make a book "arrange a series of bets" (1828), make hay "to turn over mown grass to expose it to sun." Make the grade is 1912, perhaps from the notion of railway engines going up an incline.
  • Read the valuable suggestions in Dr. C.V. Mosby's book -- be prepared to surmount obstacles before you encounter them -- equipped with the power to "make the grade" in life's climb. [advertisement for "Making the Grade," December 1916]
  • But the phrase also was in use in a schoolwork context at the time. Make do "manage with what is available" is attested from 1867. Make time "go fast" is 1849; make tracks in this sense is from 1834. To make a federal case out of (something) popularized in 1959 movie "Anatomy of a Murder;" to make an offer (one) can't refuse is from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel "The Godfather." To make (one's) day is from 1909; menacing make my day is from 1971, popularized by Clint Eastwood in film "Sudden Impact" (1983). Related: Made; making.
  • verb create
  • verb comprise, constitute
  • verb compensate, reconcile
Example sentences :
  • While she was gone he could be making up his mind what to do with the wretched boy!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • I'll spend the rest of the day making up for that interview by talking with Kitty.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Who the devil are these two that seem to be making up to us?
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • His heart was on his lips, he was making up his mind to speak.
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • He treated us pretty mean once, but he's making up for it now.
  • Extract from : « Frank Roscoe's Secret » by Allen Chapman
  • The Trader was looking me over, making up his mind about me.
  • Extract from : « The Forest » by Stewart Edward White
  • And even now they'll probably say I'm making up to the British army.
  • Extract from : « Ruggles of Red Gap » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I did so, and explained that there was more in the manner of using than in the making up.
  • Extract from : « Culture and Cooking » by Catherine Owen
  • "Canvas it is, then," nodded his uncle, and went on making up the outfits.
  • Extract from : « Sure Pop and the Safety Scouts » by Roy Rutherford Bailey
  • He was, as usual, weighing and considering and making up his mind.
  • Extract from : « Jan and Her Job » by L. Allen Harker

Synonyms for making up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019