make change (for something)

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
  • small change
  • equate
  • equate (someone or something) with (someone or something)
  • equate with
  • cash only
  • and change
  • and some change
  • loads (of something)
  • shrapnel