make sense

make sense

1. To be understandable or coherent. These numbers don't make sense. How can there be a deficit if we also have an excess? I've tried asking him but his explanations aren't making any sense.
2. To be practical or seem like a good idea. It doesn't make sense to drive all the way home when we'll need to leave again almost as soon as we get there. If you think you might want to go to college there, visiting for a weekend just makes sense.
See also: make, sense
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

make sense

to be understandable. John doesn't make sense. What John says makes sense to me.
See also: make, sense
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

make sense

1. Be understandable. This usage, first recorded in 1686, is often used in a negative context, as in This explanation doesn't make sense.
2. Be reasonable, wise, or practical, as in It makes sense to find out first how many will attend the conference. This term employs sense in the meaning of "what is reasonable," a usage dating from 1600. In Britain it is also put as stand to sense.
See also: make, sense
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

make ˈsense


1 have a meaning that you can easily understand: This sentence doesn’t make sense — there’s no verb in it.
2 be a sensible or practical thing to do: It makes sense to buy a house now because prices will certainly go up soon.
3 be easy to understand or explain: John wasn’t making much sense on the phone.
See also: make, sense
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

make sense

1. To be coherent or intelligible: an explanation that made sense.
2. To be practical or advisable: It makes sense to go now.
See also: make, sense
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • in excess of
  • wring (something) from (someone or something)
  • wring from
  • speak sense
  • talk sense
  • be as clear as crystal
  • be lost for words
  • be as clear as day
  • together
  • clear as crystal
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