The phrasal verb "make up for" is predominantly used in informal contexts, although it can occasionally appear in more formal situations, especially when addressing issues of recompense or rectification. It is commonly utilized to convey the act of compensating for something, whether it be a deficiency, mistake, or lapse. For instance, one might "make up for" a poor performance at work by working overtime or demonstrating increased effort. This phrasal verb often appears in contexts relating to relationships, work, and various scenarios where amends or reparations are required. Its flexibility allows it to be used across various social and professional settings, emphasizing the action of balancing out negatives with positives. Overall, "make up for" serves as a functional and expressive tool for highlighting efforts to restore balance or fairness in situations where something lacks or falls short.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To compensate for something bad, insufficient, or missing by doing something positive.
She tried to make up for being late by bringing us coffee.
I will make up for my mistake by working overtime.
2. To repay or return an equivalence of something lost or lacking.
He wanted to make up for all the trouble he caused his parents.
They made up for the canceled show by offering free tickets to another event.