Phrasal verb
make out
Meanings
to manage to see, hear, or understand something with difficulty
to pretend or claim that something is true, often in an exaggerated way
to kiss someone passionately for a period of time
Definition
To make out most commonly means to understand, see, or hear something with difficulty.
When you make out something, you manage to understand it or identify it, often because it is unclear, far away, or quiet. It can also mean to pretend something is true or to write a document such as a check or a list. In informal English, it can mean to kiss someone in a sexual way for a period of time.
Examples
- I can’t make out what she’s saying over the noise.
- Can you make out the house number from here?
- He made out that he knew the manager personally.
- They were making out by the doorway when the taxi arrived.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse make out (understand/identify) with figure out (solve) and use it for problems rather than unclear sounds or sights.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.