make up

Meaning

To reconcile and become friendly again after a disagreement, argument, or fight. It is a very common phrasal verb used for friends, couples, and family members.

Examples

• They argue a lot, but they always make up quickly.

  They argue a lot, but they always make up quickly.

• Have you two finally made up after yesterday's fight?

  Have you two finally made up after yesterday's fight?

• Life is too short to hold grudges, so let's just make up.

  Life is too short to hold grudges, so let's just make up.

• They kissed and made up, promising never to fight over money again.

  They kissed and made up, promising never to fight over money again.

• I bought her some flowers to help us make up.

  I bought her some flowers to help us make up.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We made up our fight.

  ✓ We made up after our fight.

  In the sense of reconciliation, 'make up' is intransitive. You do not 'make up a fight'; you reconcile 'after' a fight.

• ✗ I want to make up him.

  ✓ I want to make up with him.

  To reconcile with a specific person, you must use the preposition 'with' after 'make up'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After not speaking for a week, they finally decided to ___.

  💡 To reconcile after a fight.

  Show answer

  make up

• He tried to ___ with his sister by sending her an apology text.

  💡 To become friendly again with someone.

  Show answer

  make up