phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

make up

to invent a story

What it means

To invent a story, excuse, or piece of information that isn't true. It also has several other meanings: to become friends again after an argument, to apply cosmetics, and to form a whole from parts.

Examples

  • He made up a silly story about why he was late for school.
  • Children make up imaginary friends and play with them for hours.
  • Let's make up; I hate it when we argue over small things.
  • Women make up nearly half of the workforce in this industry.

Where it comes from

Separable in the 'invent' sense ('make it up' or 'make up a story'). The cosmetics meaning gave rise to the noun 'makeup', and 'make up your mind' means to decide.

Related phrasal verbs

#come up with#make up for#break up#set up

🧩 Think you know your phrasal verbs?

Take the Phrasal Verbs Test — 20 terms, instant result, no signup.

Take the test

Built by the team behind Deep In.