To do something good for someone in order to compensate for a previous wrong, disappointment, or favour owed.
Do something nice for someone because you did something bad or unhelpful to them before.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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)
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."
'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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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