Make Up For – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever been late for a meeting and then worked extra hard? Or maybe you forgot a special day and tried to do something nice later? In English, we have a perfect phrase for this. Today, you will learn the phrase make up for.
What Does “Make Up For” Mean?
“Make up for” means to compensate for something or to correct a mistake or loss. Think of it like doing something good to balance out something bad that happened. It shows you are trying to fix a problem or a past error.
When to Use It
You can use this phrase in many situations. Use it when you want to correct a mistake you made. Use it when you need to compensate for lost time or a bad experience. You can also use it when someone tries to do something good after a failure. This phrase is neutral and works in both personal and professional contexts.
Example Sentences
- I brought you coffee to make up for being late this morning.
- We need to work this weekend to make up for the lost time.
- The beautiful weather made up for our cancelled plans yesterday.
- He cooked dinner to make up for forgetting their anniversary.
Mini Dialogue
Sarah: “I’m sorry I missed your presentation.”
Tom: “That’s okay. You can make up for it by helping me with the next one.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this phrase is about compensation or correction. Don’t confuse it with “make up,” which can mean to invent something or become friendly again after an argument.
❌ Don’t say: “I will make up for a story to tell the children.”
✅ Do say: “I will work extra hours to make up for the time I missed.”
Practice Tip
Think of a small mistake you made recently. Practice saying how you could “make up for” it. For example: “I will [action] to make up for [mistake].”
Final Note
Using “make up for” will help you talk about correcting mistakes and compensating for problems naturally. Don’t worry about being perfect—just try using it in your next conversation. Now you’re ready to use this helpful phrase confidently!