(stress on "up") To make by putting things or parts together.
A car is made up of many different parts.
Two separate bodies — the House of Representatives and the Senate — make up the Congress of the United States.
To do or provide (something lacking or needed); do or supply (something not done, lost, or missed); get back; regain; give back; repay.
Often used in the phrase make it up to.
I have to make up the test I missed last week.
I want to go to bed early to make up the sleep I lost last night.
Mrs. Rich spent so much time away from her children that she tried to make it up to them by giving them things.
The teacher allowed several students who missed the exam to make it up during the next class.
The toy cost a dollar and Ted only had fifty cents, so Father made up the difference.
Uncle Fred forgot my birthday present but he made it up to me by taking me to the circus.
Vitamin pills make up what you lack in your diet.
We have to drive fast to make up the hour we lost in Boston.
To do what is lacking or needed; do or give what should be done or given; get or give back what has been lost, missed, or not done; get or give instead; pay back. Used with for.
Mary had to make up for the time she missed in school when she was sick, by studying very hard.
Saying you are sorry won't make up for the damage of breaking the window.
The beautiful view at the top of the mountain makes up for the hard climb to get there.
The little boy made up a bad excuse for wearing his dirty shoes in the house, so his mother punished him.
We made up for lost time by taking an airplane instead of a train.
To put on lipstick and face paint powder.
Clowns always make up before a circus show.
Dee was able to make her face up in half the normal time because she didn’t use much makeup.
Tom watched his sister make up her face for her date.
To become friends again after a quarrel. Often used with with.
After the bad quarrel the two lovers kissed and made up with each other.
Helen made up with her roommate after their serious misunderstanding about arrangements for the party.
Mary and Joan quarreled, but made up after a while.