make it up to — to compensate for something bad you have done to someone by doing something good for them
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to compensate for something bad you have done to someone by doing something good for them
Pronunciation (IPA): /meɪk ɪt ʌp tuː/
Example Sentences
- After eating his girlfriend's ice cream, Tom promised to make it up to her with a whole tub of Ben & Jerry's.
- I know I was late for our meeting. How can I make it up to you?
- The company tried to make it up to customers by offering free pizza after the server crash.
make it up to
VERB[/meɪk ɪt ʌp tuː/]
to compensate for something bad you have done to someone by doing something good for them
He brings her favorite flowers to make it up to her after forgetting their anniversary.
To make it up to you, I'll shake it up and take it up!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb emerged in English from the combination of 'make' (to create or produce), 'it' (the object of action), 'up' (completion or compensation), and 'to' (direction toward a person). The expression developed from the literal sense of 'making up' or creating something to compensate for a wrongdoing, then delivering it to the injured party, evolving into the figurative meaning of atoning for or compensating someone for a past offense.
Breakdown
make (create, produce) + it (object pronoun) + up (complete, compensate, make amends) + to (toward, in the direction of). The 'up' particle adds the sense of completion or full compensation, while 'to' indicates the recipient of the compensatory action.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After eating his girlfriend's ice cream, Tom promised to make it up to her with a whole tub of Ben & Jerry's.”
“I know I was late for our meeting. How can I make it up to you?”
“The company tried to make it up to customers by offering free pizza after the server crash.”
“She promised to make it up to her children for missing the school play.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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