make up with

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to become friendly with someone again after a disagreement, fight, or argument. It is used when two people resolve their issues and restore their relationship. The phrase is very common in daily conversations and applies to friends, family members, or romantic partners.

Examples

• After not speaking for a week, Sarah finally decided to make up with her sister.

  After not speaking for a week, Sarah finally decided to make up with her sister.

• I think it's time you make up with Tom; life is too short to hold a grudge.

  I think it's time you make up with Tom; life is too short to hold a grudge.

• Have you made up with your roommate yet, or are things still awkward?

  Have you made up with your roommate yet, or are things still awkward?

• He bought her some flowers to make up with her after their big argument last night.

  He bought her some flowers to make up with her after their big argument last night.

• It wasn't easy, but they managed to make up with each other before the wedding.

  It wasn't easy, but they managed to make up with each other before the wedding.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to make up my brother after our fight.

  ✓ I want to make up with my brother after our fight.

  When you specify the person you are reconciling with, you must include the preposition 'with'. Without 'with', 'make up' can mean to invent a story or to apply cosmetics.

• ✗ Hey, did you reconcile with your boyfriend?

  ✓ Hey, did you make up with your boyfriend?

  While 'reconcile with' is grammatically correct, it is highly formal and sounds unnatural in casual, everyday conversations. 'Make up with' is the preferred neutral choice.

• ✗ I need to make him up with before the weekend.

  ✓ I need to make up with him before the weekend.

  Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'make up with' is inseparable. The object pronoun (him, her, them) must always come after the entire phrase, not in the middle.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm tired of fighting. I just want to ___ my best friend.

  💡 Use the base form of the phrasal verb meaning to reconcile.

  Show answer

  make up with

• Did you ever ___ Alex after that big misunderstanding last month?

  💡 The action happened in the past, but the question starts with 'Did you ever', so use the base form.

  Show answer

  make up with

• She is too proud to ___ him, even though she knows she was wrong.

  💡 To become friendly again after a disagreement.

  Show answer

  make up with