Something good can compensate for a loss, mistake or disadvantage.

The idea

In neutral everyday English, make up for takes a noun or object pronoun after for: make up for the delay, make up for it. The three words stay together.

Examples

  • The extra lesson made up for the class we missed.
  • Mira brought lunch to make up for her mistake.
  • A warm welcome cannot make up for a broken promise.
  • We lost an hour, but a faster train made up for it.
  • The garden’s bright flowers make up for its small size.
  • Our team hopes to make up for last week’s poor result.

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Watch out

Do not say make it up for or make up the delay for: keep the object after for. This meaning differs from inventing a story with make up.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. Can an apology make up ___ the delay? (for / to)

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    for

    for completes the expression before the delay.

  2. Choose the correct option. The volunteers made up for ___ by working on Saturday. (it / its)

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    it

    it refers to the thing being compensated for.

  3. Choose the correct option. The refund ___ up for the damaged meal yesterday. (made / makes)

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    made

    made matches the completed event yesterday.

Use it today

Describe something that could compensate for a disappointing day.