Phrasal verb
make up for
Meanings
to compensate for something bad or missing by doing something that balances it
to do extra work or spend extra time because some time was lost or work was not done earlier
Definition
To make up for something means to compensate for a loss, mistake, or disadvantage by doing something positive.
When you make up for something, you do something that balances or compensates for a problem, loss, or disappointment. It often involves extra effort, a helpful action, or a pleasant experience to reduce the negative effect. You can make up for time, missed work, or hurt feelings, but it does not always remove what happened.
Examples
- I’ll make up for the mistake by double-checking everything today.
- You can make up for lost time by taking the earlier train tomorrow.
- He made up for forgetting her birthday with a thoughtful dinner.
- They’re making up for last week’s canceled practice with an extra session.
Common mistake
Learners often say "make up" without "for" when they mean compensate (correct: "make up for the delay").
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.