make up

Episode 4:

Who's the Liar?

Fred: Don't listen to Martin, Betty! It's not true! He's making it up!

Listen to Fred Download audio (mp3 - 248kb) Download this page (pdf - 64k) ________________________________________________________________

MAKE UP Meaning:

if you make something up, you invent an untrue story or explanation, often in order to hide the truth.

Grammar:

This phrasal verb must have an object. The object can go between the verb and particle, or after the particle. If you want to use a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle.

She made up an excuse - RIGHT

She made an excuse up - RIGHT

She made it up - RIGHT

She made up it - WRONG

Example sentence:

Charlie didn't want to admit that he hadn't done his homework, so he made up a story about leaving it on the bus.

________________________________________________________________

Synonyms: invent, devise, concoct, fabricate, cook up, manufacture, come up with ________________________________________________________________