make a profit

Meaning

This expression means to earn more money from selling goods or services than it cost to produce, buy, or provide them. It is a fundamental business term used to describe financial success. While common in corporate finance, it is also used in everyday contexts like yard sales or casual freelance work.

Examples

• The company managed to make a profit in its very first year of operation.

  The company managed to make a profit in its very first year of operation.

• We need to cut down on manufacturing costs if we want to make a profit.

  We need to cut down on manufacturing costs if we want to make a profit.

• They are selling the products at cost, so they won't make a profit on this deal.

  They are selling the products at cost, so they won't make a profit on this deal.

• It took almost three years of hard work before the bakery started to make a profit.

  It took almost three years of hard work before the bakery started to make a profit.

• If you buy low and sell high, you are guaranteed to make a profit.

  If you buy low and sell high, you are guaranteed to make a profit.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The new store did a great profit last month.

  ✓ The new store made a great profit last month.

  In English, 'profit' collocates with the verb 'make', not 'do'.

• ✗ We are hoping to win a profit on this investment.

  ✓ We are hoping to make a profit on this investment.

  You 'win' a prize, lottery, or game, but you 'make' or 'turn' a profit in business.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After months of losing money, the startup finally began to ___.

  💡 Earn more than you spend.

  Show answer

  make a profit

• It's difficult to ___ when your overhead costs are so high.

  💡 Generate financial gain.

  Show answer

  make a profit