make of
Related to make of: make off, made of, call on, took over
make (something) (out) of (someone or something)
1. To create something from someone or something. I made this table out of oak. I'm going to make a sci-fi fan of you if it’s the last thing I do!
2. To consider, interpret, or form an opinion about someone or something. Can you make any sense out of this note that Jeffrey left behind? So, what do you make of the new intern? Is he up to snuff?
3. To create or instigate an argument or dispute out of something. It was just a joke, Tom. I don't understand why you're trying to make something bigger out of it. A: "Did I overhear you trash talking Johnny Cash?" B: "Yeah, you wanna make something of it?"
See also: make, of
what do you make of (someone or something)?
What is your analysis, opinion, or appraisal of someone or something? A: "What do you make of the new guy?" B: "He's a little quirky, but I think he's genuinely nice." A: "What do you make of this hole here?" B: "Could be termite damage."
See also: make, of, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make something (out) of something
1. Lit. to make something out of parts or raw materials. I will make the cake out of the very best ingredients. Can you make a salad out of these vegetables?
2. Fig. to make an interpretation of something. Can you make anything out of this message? I don't understand it. I'm sorry, I can't make any sense out of it.
3. Fig. to interpret something negatively. (See also make something of something.) The hostess made too much out of my absence.
See also: make, of
make something of someone or something
to succeed with improving someone or something; to turn someone or something into someone or something worthwhile. I tried to make something of you, but you had to do things the way you saw fit. I think I can make something of this script.
See also: make, of
make something of something
1. to make an interpretation of something. What do you make of this letter? Look through this and see what sense you make of it.
2. to turn an incident into a dispute. (Usually with it. Often as an invitation to fight. See also make something (out) of something.) Do you want to make something of it? He looks like he wants to make something of it.
See also: make, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
make of
v.
1. To create or fashion something from something else: All that practice will make a good player of you. This statue is made of clay.
2. To consider something to be true of something or someone. Used chiefly as a question or in the passive: What do you make of these little pieces of wood? Not much was made of the evidence they found.
See also: make, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- (someone or something) promises well
- (have) got something going (with someone)
- a thing of the past
- a/the feel of (something)
- (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- accompanied by
- accompanied by (someone or something)
- accompany
- a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down