make a reservation

Meaning

To arrange in advance to have a space, seat, or table kept for your use. It is standard for restaurants, hotels, flights, and rental services. The tone is polite and practical.

Examples

• That restaurant is incredibly popular, so you need to make a reservation weeks in advance.

  That restaurant is incredibly popular, so you need to make a reservation weeks in advance.

• I called the hotel to make a reservation for a double room for three nights.

  I called the hotel to make a reservation for a double room for three nights.

• Did you make a reservation under my name or yours?

  Did you make a reservation under my name or yours?

• It is always safer to make a reservation during the peak tourist season.

  It is always safer to make a reservation during the peak tourist season.

• We didn't make a reservation, but luckily they had one table left near the bar.

  We didn't make a reservation, but luckily they had one table left near the bar.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to do a reservation for tonight.

  ✓ I need to make a reservation for tonight.

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

• ✗ I would like to book a reservation at your restaurant.

  ✓ I would like to make a reservation at your restaurant.

  Using 'book' and 'reservation' together is redundant. Say 'make a reservation' or 'book a table'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to eat at the Michelin-starred restaurant, you should ___ now.

  💡 Arrange to have a table kept for you.

  Show answer

  make a reservation

• I forgot to ___ for the museum tour, and now all the slots are full.

  💡 Book a place in advance.

  Show answer

  make a reservation