make it up to
B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
Do something nice for someone because you did something bad or unhelpful to them before.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To do something kind or generous for someone because you failed them, hurt them, or owe them a favour.
"I missed your birthday dinner, but I promise I'll make it up to you this weekend."
"I'll make it up to you, I swear."
— Common colloquial phrase widely attested in film dialogue, e.g. used in Friends (NBC sitcom, 1994–2004)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To repay a debt of gratitude or effort to someone who helped you.
"You've done so much for this project — I really want to make it up to you somehow."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
'It' is fixed and cannot be replaced by a noun; the person you owe is always introduced by 'to'. Very common in everyday spoken English.
Commonly used with
promise swear try owe chance opportunity
Forms
Base
make it up to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
makes it up to
he/she/it
Past simple
made it up to
yesterday
Past participle
made it up to
have + pp
-ing form
making it up to
continuous
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Synonyms
compensate make amends repay atone square things with make it right with
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