make up for

Meaning

To 'make up for' means to compensate for something that is missing, lost, or done poorly. In academic contexts, it is used when discussing how a strength compensates for a weakness, or how extra study time compensates for missed classes. It carries a neutral, problem-solving tone.

Examples

• Her excellent research skills made up for her lack of public speaking experience.

  Her excellent research skills made up for her lack of public speaking experience.

• We need to study extra hours this week to make up for the classes we missed.

  We need to study extra hours this week to make up for the classes we missed.

• An intensive introductory course can help make up for any gaps in your knowledge.

  An intensive introductory course can help make up for any gaps in your knowledge.

• The high quality of the data made up for the small sample size.

  The high quality of the data made up for the small sample size.

• He wrote an extra essay to make up for his poor exam grade.

  He wrote an extra essay to make up for his poor exam grade.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He tried to make up his bad grade.

  ✓ He tried to make up for his bad grade.

  'Make up' without 'for' has different meanings, such as inventing a story or applying cosmetics. You must use 'for' to mean compensate.

• ✗ The good results compensated for making up the delay.

  ✓ The good results made up for the delay.

  Do not combine 'compensate' and 'make up for' in the same clause, as they are synonyms. Choose one or the other.

Related Expressions

Practice

• She worked late all week to ___ the time she lost while sick.

  💡 To compensate for a loss or deficit.

  Show answer

  make up for

• A strong cover letter can sometimes ___ a lack of direct work experience.

  💡 To balance out or substitute for a deficiency.

  Show answer

  make up for