make out

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Thân thiện

The student could not make out the words on the chalkboard.

Definition

Verb (transitive):
- To understand, perceive, or decipher something with difficulty: To manage to see, hear, or comprehend something that is not clear or obvious.
- To imply, suggest, or represent someone/something in a particular way: To describe, portray, or claim something, often falsely or in a misleading manner.
- To complete a form or document by writing information: To write all necessary details on a document, such as a check or application.
- To engage in passionate kissing and touching: To kiss and caress someone amorously or sexually for an extended period.
Verb (intransitive):
- To manage, fare, or get along: To succeed, progress, or cope in a particular situation.
- To engage in sexual intercourse: (Slang) To have sex.

Examples of Usage

Verb (Transitive - to understand):
- I can't make out the small print on this contract.
- Can you make out what she is saying over all that noise?
Verb (Transitive - to imply/represent):
- He made himself out to be an expert, but he knew very little.
- The article makes out that the situation is hopeless.
Verb (Transitive - to complete a form):
- Please make the check out to "City Utilities".
- I need to make out an application for the visa.
Verb (Transitive - to kiss passionately):
- They were making out in the movie theater.
Verb (Intransitive - to manage/fare):
- How did you make out on your final exam?
- How is the new team making out this season?
Verb (Intransitive - to have sex):
- Did they make out on their first date? (This meaning is informal/slang).

Advanced Usage

"Make out a case for/against": To present arguments or evidence to support or oppose something.
- The lawyer made out a strong case for her client's innocence.
"Make out like a bandit" (Idiom): To be very successful or gain a significant advantage, especially financially.
- He invested early and made out like a bandit when the stock soared.

Variants and Related Words

Make-do (verb/noun): To manage with the limited resources available.
- We had to make-do with what was in the cupboard.
Makeover (noun): A complete transformation or remodeling.
- The house got a full makeover.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

Make up: To invent, reconcile, or apply cosmetics.
- She had to make up a story to explain her lateness.
Make for: To head toward or contribute to.
- Let's make for the exit. His attitude makes for a difficult work environment.

Related Idioms

Make something out to be: To represent or describe something as being a certain way.
- The news made the storm out to be much worse than it actually was.
Make out a list: To write or compile a list.
- I'll make out a list of necessary supplies.

The student could not make out the words on the chalkboard.

Verb

try to establish
- She made out that she know nothing about the crime
imply or suggest
- Your remarks make me out to be stupid
write all the required information onto a form
- fill out this questionnaire, please!
- make out a form
kiss, embrace, or fondle with sexual passion
- The couple were necking in the back seat of the car
have sexual intercourse with
- This student sleeps with everyone in her dorm
- Adam knew Eve
- Were you ever intimate with this man?
come to terms with
- We got by on just a gallon of gas
- They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
proceed or get along
- How is she doing in her new job?
- How are you making out in graduate school?
- He's come a long way
comprehend
- I cannot make out what this politician is saying
make out and issue
- write out a check
- cut a ticket
- Please make the check out to me
detect with the senses
- The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards
- I can't make out the faces in this photograph

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