make friends
/meɪk frɛndz/
Meaning
This expression means to form new friendships or establish friendly relationships with people. It is a very common collocation used in everyday conversations. Note that 'friends' is almost always plural in this phrase, even if you are talking about befriending one person.
Examples
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It can be hard to make friends when you move to a new city.
It can be hard to make friends when you move to a new city.
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My daughter easily makes friends at school because she is very outgoing.
My daughter easily makes friends at school because she is very outgoing.
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I joined a book club to make friends who share my interests.
I joined a book club to make friends who share my interests.
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He is shy and finds it difficult to make friends.
He is shy and finds it difficult to make friends.
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We made friends with our neighbors during the summer block party.
We made friends with our neighbors during the summer block party.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I want to do friends with my classmates.
✓ I want to make friends with my classmates.
In English, we use the verb 'make' with 'friends', not 'do'.
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✗ She made a friend with Sarah.
✓ She made friends with Sarah.
Even when referring to a single person, the standard idiom is 'make friends with [someone]'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Joining a sports team is a great way to ___.
💡 Form new social connections.
Show answer
make friends
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She was nervous about her first day of school, but she quickly ___ with a girl in her class.
💡 Past tense of make friends.
Show answer
made friends