make change

make change (for something)

To give someone the equivalent in coins for a paper banknote. I need to use the payphone, but I only have bills. Can you make change? Hi there, could you make change for a dollar?
See also: change, make
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

make change

 (for someone) (for something)
1. to return change [coins] for someone to use for some purpose. Will you please make change for me for the telephone? I will make change for the telephone for you.
2. to return change [coins or bills or both] to someone for paper money. The clerk refused to make change for her for the dollar bill. I will be happy to make change for a ten for you.
See also: change, make
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • make change (for something)
  • small change
  • equate
  • equate (someone or something) with (someone or something)
  • equate with
  • cash only
  • and change
  • and some change
  • loads (of something)
  • shrapnel
References in classic literature
Profound and powerful forces are shaking and remaking our world, and the URGENT question of our time is whether we can make change our friend and not our enemy.
Bill Clintons Inaugural Address
The animated characters of Penny and Bill will show children ages 6 through 8 just how they can count money and make change in the lively, colorful, entertaining and instructive Rock 'N Learn DVD "Money & Making Change".
Money & Making Change
He wanted to know / everyone in the end / he was a kind // man did errands / for old people younger / than he helped kids // with school met people / in stores on the street / please may I help // And the last day / he said You know / this world could be // a better place just / promise me that you / will help he waited // he made change may / I help you please / make change
Blue Front
But I don't feel that it is right to make changes in the calendar for just one day." (ANI)
New session in schools from July 1, Intl Yoga Day will be celebrated: Rajasthan Education Min
Sponsors of 403(b)s continue to make changes to improve the value of their plans and the retirement readiness of participants, according to a recent benchmarking survey.
New and Improved
Particularly, they sent an official inquiry to the Interim Government asking to provide information on available public funds, the amount spent for establishment of order in the country, what damage was caused by Bakievs and many other things.The human rights groups believe the provisional government should adopt new public budget or make changes in the current budget.
Human rights defenders ask Interim Government to report on public spending, available public funds
Their research found that 96 per cent of companies were planning to make changes to their workplace pension schemes; 68 per cent said they were making changes because they were concerned about risk; 60 per cent needed to reduce cost and 45 per cent were making changes as a result of the 2009 budget..
Firms planning pensions cuts; business briefing
"Then I made changes a few years ago and look where I am now; that's why you make changes to get better.
Golf: Still a long way to go - Tiger
Forty-seven percent of those surveyed said that the 401(k) plan at their firm included at least one of the "tainted" funds; of those, 75 percent have made or may make changes to their plans in response.
Spitzer, others fault mutual fund moves
When anthrax began showing up in America's mail, Rohde knew the $27 billion manufacturer would need to make changes to protect its employees and its food.
How to keep French Fries Safe (in a world of saboteurs)