(verb) to make something unimportant seem extremely important
Example Sentences:
Young children often make a mountain out of a molehill when they get upset after seeing their parents fight.
Our boss made a mountain out of a molehill when he fired Wayne for making a simple mistake.
A: Oh my god, my boyfriend just left me!
B: Oh, sorry Sarah!
A: My life is over! I will never love again! I’m going to kill myself!
B: Don’t you think you are making a mountain out of a molehill? You only dated for two weeks!
A: Oh.
Media:
(idiom) to embarrass yourself
Example Sentences:
Alexandra made an ass of herself by going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with a bottle of wine.
The student made an ass of himself when his cellphone went off during his presentation.
A: Did you meet your new girlfriend’s parents?
B: Yeah.
A: How did it go?
B: Terribly. I made an ass of myself!
A: How?
B: I don’t want to talk about it!
(verb) to make enough money to pay all of your bills without getting into debt
(verb) to arrive at work
Example Sentence:
Employee: Hello, boss? It’s Mike. I won’t be able to make it in today. I’m feeling sick.
Boss: Alright, see you Monday!
A: Great party last night! What time did you make it in this morning?
B: I was so late! I didn’t make it in until noon!
(verb) to consider something unimportant
Example Sentences:
A: My boyfriend broke my heart! I will never be in love again!
B: I don’t want to make light of your situation, but you only dated him for 2 days!
I had a fight with my roommate because he is always making light of my complaints. Every time I tell him he is too noisy, he ignores me!
The hockey player wanted to keep playing after his injury, so he made light of it, so the coach would let him continue.
(verb) to steal
Example Sentences:
My roommate always makes off with my clothes. It makes me so mad!
Someone came in and made off with my wallet! Call the police!
During the riot, many people were caught making off with computers, DVDs, and other electronic goods.
From the News:
Media:
(phrasal verb) hug and kiss, be passionate
Example Sentences:
The young couple were planning to make out when they had the house to themselves.
Last night I made out with Bob. I’m so embarrassed!
A: What were you doing when I called you last night?
B: I was busy making out with Rita.
A: Lovely Rita? Lucky you!
Media:
(verb) to finish something quickly because it is so easy
(verb) to be able to pass from one round of competition to the next
Example Sentences:
The olympic athlete trained for hours every day in order to make the cut as a competitive swimmer.
I was happy because I made the cut and was allowed to compete in the finals!
A: What are the chances of you making the cut tonight?
B: We have a good, strong team, and we want to win. I think we’ll move to the next round.
A: Did your team make the playoffs?
B: No, we didn’t make the cut.
From the News:
(phrasal verb) to create, to invent, to lie
Example Sentences:
The boss was really mad at you because you weren’t at work today. You should make up a good excuse, like you were sick or that someone died.
The young boy made up a story about his trip to Toronto to impress his friends.
If you keep making things up, people are going to stop listening to you. Just tell the truth!
(adjective) ruined, made ugly
Example Sentences:
The fireworks celebration was marred by drunk teenagers fighting in the streets.
East Vancouver’s beautiful neighbourhood was marred when a Wal-Mart came to town.
A: How was your date last night?
B: It was marred when my date’s ex-boyfriend joined us.
From the News:
Phillipine vote marred by violence
Media:
(phrasal verb) to make a mistake
Example Sentence:
If you mess up one more time, you will get fired!
I can’t believe I didn’t study for the test! I messed up my chances to go to law school now!
Mary really messed up when she forgot her husband’s birthday!
I keep messing up this assignment. Can you help me?
From the News:
New daylight time may mess up medical devices, authorities say
Media:
(proverb) people who are sad like to be with others who are also sad
(proverb) being happy is more important than being rich
(verb) to have a second job that is different from one’s current job
Example Sentence:
I’m a doctor, but I like to moonlight as a dancer on the weekends.
(verb) to speak in a rude way
Example Sentence:
The angry teenager mouthed off to his mother, because he didn’t want to take Ballet lessons.
If you keep mouthing off to me I’m going to kick you out of the house.
The boss always mouths off to his employees about the company’s problems.