The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

by Christine Ammer

  make one’s blood boil Enrage one, as in Whenever Jim criticizes his father, it makes my blood boil. Although this term did not appear in print until 1848, the term the blood boils, meaning “one gets angry,” dates from the 1600s.

  make one’s blood run cold Also, freeze one’s blood. Cause one to shiver from fright or horror, as in The radiator’s clanking at night made George’s blood run cold, or Movies about vampires always freeze my blood. [Early 1800s] Also see MAKE ONE’S FLESH CREEP.

  make one’s day Give one great pleasure, as in Hearing you won first prize just made my day. This phrase, which uses make in the sense of “secure success in,” was first recorded in 1909.

  make one’s ears burn → See EARS ARE BURNING.

  make oneself at home Be at ease, act as though one were in one’s own home. For example, I have to make a phone call but please make yourself at home, or Tim has a way of making himself at home just about anywhere. This expression was first recorded in 1860. Also see AT HOME, def 3.

  make oneself scarce Depart quickly, go away, as in The children saw Mrs. Frost coming and made themselves scarce. This idiom applies scarce in the sense of “seldom seen” to removing one’s presence. [c. 1800]

  make one’s flesh creep Also, make one’s skin crawl. Cause one to shudder with disgust or fear, as in That picture makes my flesh creep, or Cockroaches make my skin crawl. This idiom alludes to the feeling of having something crawl over one’s body or skin. The first term appeared in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1727): “Something in their countenance made my flesh creep with a horror I cannot express.” The variant dates from the late 1800s.

  make one’s hair stand on end Also, make one’s hair curl. Terrify one, as in The very thought of an earthquake makes my hair stand on end, or Diving off a high board is enough to make my hair curl. The first term, first recorded in 1534, alludes to goose pimples prompted by fear, which cause the hairs around them to stand up. The variant dates from the mid-1900s.

  make one’s head spin Cause one to be giddy, dazed, or confused, as in The figures in this tax return make my head spin. This phrase employs spin in the sense of “gyrate rapidly,” a usage applied to the brain or head since about 1800.

  make one sick Disgust one, as in Your constant complaining makes me sick. This expression transfers the sensations of physical illness to strong negative sentiments. [c. 1800]

  make one’s mark Achieve distinction, as in Terry soon made his mark as an organist. This expression transfers a written or printed symbol to a strong impression. [Mid-1800s] Also see MAKE A NAME FOR ONESELF.

  make one’s mouth water Cause one to eagerly anticipate or long for something, as in Those travel folders about Nepal make my mouth water. This metaphoric term alludes to salivating when one anticipates food and has been used figuratively since the mid-1600s, whether it refers to food, as in The sight of that chocolate cake made her mouth water, or not.

  make one’s peace with Reconcile oneself to, bring about friendly relations with, as in He’s repented and made his peace with God. This expression was first recorded about 1315. Also see MAKE PEACE.

  make one’s point Effectively express one’s idea, as in I see what you mean about skateboards being dangerous—you’ve made your point. This expression uses point in the sense of “an important or essential argument or suggestion.” Also see MAKE A POINT OF; TAKE SOMEONE’S POINT. [c. 1800]

  make one’s way 1. Go in a particular direction or to a particular destination, as in I’m making my way to the china department, or How are we going to make our way through this underbrush? This usage was first recorded about 1400. 2. Also, make one’s own way. Advance in life by one’s own efforts, His family hasn’t much money so he’ll just have to make his own way in the world. [c. 1600]

  make or break Cause either total success or total ruin, as in This assignment will make or break her as a reporter. This rhyming expression, first recorded in Charles Dickens’s Barnaby Rudge (1840), has largely replaced the much older (16th-century) alliterative synonym make or mar, at least in America.

  make out 1. Discern or see, especially with difficulty, as in I can hardly make out the number on the door. [Mid-1700s] 2. Manage, get along, as in How did you make out with the accountant? This usage was first recorded in 1820. 3. Engage in sexual foreplay or intercourse, as in Bill and Jane were making out on the sofa, or Joe bragged that he made out last night. [Slang; early 1900s] 4. Understand, as in I can’t make out what she is trying to say. [Mid-1600s] Also see CAN’T MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF. 5. Establish or prove, as in He made out that he was innocent. [Colloquial; mid-1600s] 6. Imply or suggest. This usage often occurs with an infinitive, as in Are you making me out to be a liar? [Colloquial; mid-1600s] 7. Write out, draw up; fill in a written form. For example, He made out the invoices, or Jane started making out job applications. This usage was first recorded in 1465.

  make out like a bandit Succeed extremely well, as in He invested in real estate and made out like a bandit. This expression likens other forms of success to that of a triumphant robber. It may, however, come from an intermediate source, that is, the use of bandit (or one-armed bandit) for a slot machine, which is far more profitable for the house than for gamblers. [Slang; c. 1970]

  make over 1. Redo, renovate, as in We’re making over the playroom into an additional bedroom. [Late 1600s] 2. Change or transfer ownership, usually through a legal document, as in She made over the house to her daughter. This usage was first recorded in 1546.

  make peace Bring about friendly relations or a state of amity; end hostilities. For example, The United Nations sent a task force to make peace between the two warring factions, or Mom was good at making peace among the children. [Mid-1100s] Also see MAKE ONE’S PEACE WITH.

  make ready → See GET READY.

  make rounds → See MAKE THE ROUNDS, def. 2.

  make sail → See SET SAIL.

  make sense 1. Be understandable. This usage, first recorded in 1686, is often used in a negative context, as in This explanation doesn’t make sense. 2. Be reasonable, wise, or practical, as in It makes sense to find out first how many will attend the conference. This term employs sense in the meaning of “what is reasonable,” a usage dating from 1600. In Britain it is also put as stand to sense.

  make short work of Complete or consume quickly, as in The children made short work of the ice cream, or They made short work of cleaning up so they could get to the movies. This term, first recorded in 1577, in effect means “to turn something into a brief task.”

  make someone look good Cause someone to appear in a favorable light, as in Harry’s staff does most of the important work and makes him look good.

  make something of 1. Render important or useful; improve. For example, Dad hoped Tim would make something of himself. [Late 1700s] 2. Give undue importance to something, especially a problem or disagreement, as in Ann decided to make something of it when Bob said women’s studies is not a real discipline. This usage sometimes is put as make something out of nothing, as in So what if Jim had coffee with your girlfriend—don’t make something out of nothing. For an antonym, see MAKE NOTHING OF, def. 1.

  make sport of → See MAKE FUN OF.

  make stick Make effective or permanent, as in They tried to appeal but our lawyers made the verdict stick. This idiom uses stick in the sense of “adhere.” [First half of 1900s]

  make sure 1. Make certain, establish something without doubt, as in Make sure all the doors are locked. It is also put as make sure of, as in Before you make that speech, make sure of your facts. This usage was first recorded in 1565. 2. make sure of. Act so as to be certain of something, as in He wanted to make sure of his own district before seeking support elsewhere. This usage was first recorded in 1673.

  make the bed Rearrange a bed and its coverings to its condition before it was slept in. For example, Mom taught us all to make the bed before we got dressed. Also see MAKE ONE’S BED AND LIE IN IT.

  make the best of it Also, make the best of
a bad bargain. Adapt as well as possible to a bad situation, bad luck, or similar circumstances, as in Jeff ended up in a cabin without his friends, but decided to make the best of it, or She got the worst possible position, but Dad told her to make the best of a bad bargain. The first term dates from the first half of the 1600s. The second appeared in John Ray’s proverb collection of 1670 and coexisted for a time with variants such as make the best of a bad game and make the best of a bad market, which have died out.

  make the dust fly Also, make the feathers or fur fly. Stir matters up, cause a commotion or disturbance. For example, When she saw the dog sleeping on her new bedspread, she really made the dust fly, or As soon as he learns who dented his car, he’ll make the feathers fly, or She’d better not interfere or he’ll make the fur fly. The first usage alludes to the results of a vigorous house-cleaning effort. The two variants, both dating from the early 1800s, allude to what happens when a hunting dog is set on a bird or rabbit.

  make the grade Satisfy the requirements, qualify; also, succeed. For example, Angela hoped her work in the new school would make the grade, or Barbara certainly has made the grade as a trial lawyer. This expression uses grade in the sense of “accepted standard.” [c. 1900]

  make the most of Use to the greatest advantage, as in She planned to make the most of her trip to Europe, or The class quickly made the most of the teacher’s absence. This expression was first recorded in 1526.

  make the rounds 1. Follow a given circuit, as in The watchman makes the rounds every hour, or The gossip soon made the rounds of the school. Versions of this expression, such as go the rounds, follow the rounds, march the rounds, date from about 1600. 2. make rounds. Visit each hospitalized patient who is under the care of a specific physician, as in The surgery residents make rounds with their chief every morning. [c. 1900]

  make the scene Put in an appearance, take part in an event, as in I’ll miss most of the party, but I hope to make the scene before midnight. This expression employs scene in the sense of “a place where an action occurs.” [Slang; mid-1900s]

  make the sparks fly Start a fight or argument, as in If Mary finds out he went to the races without her, that will make the sparks fly. In this idiom, the small particles of a fire called sparks are transferred to an inflammatory situation. [Early 1900s]

  make time 1. Proceed rapidly, as in We have to make time if we don’t want to miss the first part of the movie. This usage alludes to compensating for lost time. [First half of 1800s] Also see MAKE GOOD TIME. 2. make time for. Arrange one’s schedule for doing something or seeing someone, as in Harold always manages to make time for tennis, or I’m pretty busy, but I can make time for you tomorrow morning. 3. make time with. Court or flirt with someone, as in Jerry is trying to make time with Beth. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  make tracks Move or leave in a hurry, as in If we’re going to catch the first show, we’d better make tracks. This term alludes to the foot-prints left by running. [Slang; early 1800s]

  make up 1. Put together, construct or compose, as in The druggist made up the prescription, or The tailor said he could make up a suit from this fabric. This usage was first recorded in 1530. 2. Constitute, form, as in One hundred years make up a century. [Late 1500s] 3. Change one’s appearance; apply cosmetics. For example, He made himself up as an old man. [c. 1800] 4. Devise a fiction or falsehood; invent. For example, Mary is always making up stories for her children, or Is that account true or did you make it up? This usage was first recorded in 1828. 5. Compensate for, provide for a deficiency, as in Can you make up the difference in the bill? or What he lacks in height he makes up in skill. This usage was first recorded in 1538. Also see MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME. 6. Repeat a course, take a test or do an assignment at a later time because of previous absence or failure. For example, Steve will have to make up calculus this summer, or The professor is letting me make up the exam tomorrow. 7. Also, make it up. Resolve a quarrel, as in The Sweeneys argue a lot but they always make up before going to sleep, or Will you two ever make it up? The first usage was first recorded in 1699, the variant in 1669. 8. Put in order, as in We asked them to make up the room for us, or Can you make up another bed in this room? [Early 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with MAKE UP.

  make up for lost time Also, make up ground. Hurry to compensate for wasted time, as in They married late but hoped to make up for lost time, or We’re behind in the schedule, and we’ll just have to make up ground as best we can. The first term was first recorded in 1774; the variant dates from the late 1800s.

  make up one’s mind Decide between alternatives, come to a decision, as in I had trouble making up my mind about which coat I liked best. This expression dates from the early 1800s, although a similar usage appeared two centuries earlier in Shakespeare’s King John (2:1): “I know she is not for this match made up.”

  make up to Make ingratiating or fawning overtures to, flirt with, as in She was always making up to the boss’s assistant. This usage was first recorded in 1781.

  make use of Utilize, use, as in I hope readers will make use of this dictionary. This expression dates from the late 1500s. Shakespeare had it in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (2:4).

  make waves Cause a disturbance or controversy, as in We’ve finally settled our differences, so please don’t make waves. This expression alludes to causing turbulence in the water. [Slang; mid-1900s] Also see ROCK THE BOAT.

  make way 1. Allow room for passage, move aside, as in Please make way for the wheelchair. This expression was first recorded about 1200. 2. Also, make way for. Leave room for a successor or substitute, as in It’s time he retired and made way for some younger professor. [Mid-1700s] 3. Progress, advance, as in Is this enterprise making way? [Late 1500s] For a synonym, see MAKE HEADWAY.

  make whoopee → See WHOOP IT UP.

  make with Use, concern oneself with, as in Why are you making with that strange outfit? or Let’s go—make with the feet! This expression is a translation of the Yiddish mach mit. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

  mama’s boy A sissy, especially a boy or man excessively attached to his mother. For example, The children called Tom a mama’s boy because he ran home with every little problem. This sexist expression has survived despite its pejorative tone. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

  man → In addition to the idioms beginning with MAN, also see AS ONE (MAN); COMPANY MAN; DEAD SOLDIER (MAN); DIRTY JOKE (OLD MAN); EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF; EVERY MAN HAS HIS PRICE; GIRL (MAN) FRIDAY; HATCHET MAN; HIRED HAND (MAN); LADIES’ MAN; LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE; MARKED MAN; NO MAN IS AN ISLAND; ODD MAN OUT; (MAN) OF FEW WORDS; ONE MAN’S MEAT IS ANOTHER MAN’S POISON; OWN PERSON (MAN); RIGHT-HAND MAN; SEE A MAN ABOUT A DOG; TO A MAN. Also see under MEN.

  man about town A man who frequently attends fashionable social functions, as in Fred is quite the man about town these days. This expression, first recorded in 1734, uses town in the sense of “a ­sophisticated place” as opposed to rural settings.

  manger → See DOG IN THE MANGER.

  man in the street Also, woman in the street. An ordinary, average person, as in It will be interesting to see how the man in the street will answer that question. This expression came into use in the early 1800s when the votes of ordinary citizens began to influence public affairs. Today it is used especially in the news media, where reporters seek out the views of bystanders at noteworthy events, and by pollsters who try to predict the outcome of elections.

  manna from heaven An unexpected aid, advantage, or assistance, as in After all the criticism in the media, that favorable evaluation was like manna from heaven. This expression alludes to the food (manna) that miraculously appears to feed the ­Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 16:15).

  manner → See ALL KINDS (MANNER) OF; BY ALL (MANNER OF) MEANS; COMPANY MANNERS; IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING; TO THE MANNER BORN.

  man of few words → See under OF FEW WORDS.

  man of his word A man who keeps promises, who can be trusted, as in You can c
ount on Rudy—he’s a man of his word. This expression, which uses word in the sense of “a promise or undertaking,” was first recorded in 1542.

  man of the moment → See OF THE MOMENT.

  man of the world Also, woman of the world. A sophisticated person, experienced in social conventions. For example, You can discuss anything with him—he’s a man of the world, or She’s a woman of the world and understands these delicate issues. The first expression dates from about 1200 and originally meant “a man of the secular world” or “a married man” (that is, not a priest). Shakespeare applied this latter sense in As You Like It (5:3) where Audrey, at the prospect of marriage, says: “I hope it is no dishonest desire to be a woman of the world.” Henry Fielding in Tom Jones (1749) also echoed this earlier sense: “A man of the world; that is to say, a man who directs his conduct in this world as one, who being fully persuaded there is no other, is resolved to make the most of this.” By the mid-1800s the idea of sophistication had replaced this meaning.

  man to man 1. Face to face, one on one. This usage dates from the 1500s and most often is applied to a sport or militant confrontation. It is often hyphenated and used adjectivally, as in The team favored a man-to-man defense. 2. Frankly, straightforwardly, often applied to a verbal encounter. For example, Dad said we’d have to talk man to man about contraception. [ c. 1900]

  many → In addition to the idioms beginning with MANY, also see AS MANY; GOOD (GREAT) MANY; IN SO MANY WORDS; IRONS IN THE FIRE, TOO MANY; SO MANY; TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH.

  many a Numerous ones, as in Many a little boy has wanted to become a fireman. This adjective is always used with a singular noun, a usage dating from about 1200. Also see MANY IS THE.