[make good] {v. phr.}
1. To do what one promised to do; make something come true.
* /Mr. Smith borrowed some money. He promised to pay it back on payday. He made good his promise./* /Joe made good his boast to swim across the lake./* /John's mother promised to take him and his friends to the zoo on Saturday. She made good her promise./
Compare: CARRY OUT.
2. To compensate; pay for loss or damage.
* /The policeman told the boy's parents that the boy must make good the money he had stolen or go to jail./
- Often used in the phrase "make it good".
* /The radio was broken while it was being delivered so the store had to make it good and send us a new radio./
Compare: MAKE UP.
3. To do good work at one's job; succeed.
* /Kate wanted to be a nurse. She studied and worked hard in school. Then she got a job in the hospital and made good as a nurse./
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