[make up] {v.}
(stress on "up")
1. To make by putting things or parts together.
* /A car is made up of many different parts./
2. To invent; think and say something that is new or not true.
* /Jean makes up stories to amuse her little brother./
3a. To do or provide (something lacking or needed); do or supply (something not done, lost, or missed); get back; regain; give back; repay.
* /I have to make up the test I missed last week./* /I want to go to bed early to make up the sleep I lost last night./* /We have to drive fast to make up the hour we lost in Boston./* /Vitamin pills make up what you lack in your diet./* /The toy cost a dollar and Ted only had fifty cents, so Father made up the difference./
- Often used in the phrase "make it up to".
* /Uncle Fred forgot my birthday present but he made it up to me by taking me to the circus./* /Mrs. Rich spent so much time away from her children that she tried to make it up to them by giving them things./
Compare: MAKE GOOD.
3b. To do what is lacking or needed; do or give what should be done or given; get or give back what has been lost, missed, or not done; get or give instead; pay back. — Used with "for".
* /We made up for lost time by taking an airplane instead of a train./* /Saying you are sorry won't make up for the damage of breaking the window./* /Mary had to make up for the time she missed in school when she was sick, by studying very hard./* /The beautiful view at the top of the mountain makes up for the hard climb to get there./
4. To put on lipstick and face paint powder.
* /Clowns always make up before a circus show./* /Tom watched his sister make up her face for her date./
5. To become friends again after a quarrel.
* /Mary and Joan quarreled, but made up after a while./
Compare: BURY THE HATCHET.
6. To try to make friends with someone; to win favor. — Followed by "to".
* /The new boy made up to the teacher by sharpening her pencils./
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