Page 275 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 275
make an exception (for someone)
behavior. The judge decided to make an (for someone).) I was shocked when Ann
example of John, so he fined him the full made a pass at me. I think Bob was
amount. The Łeacher made an examplł makng a pass at me, but he did it very
of Mary, who had disturbed the class con- subtly.
stantly with her whispering.
makeŁa pile Go to make a bundle.
makeŁan exPeption (for someone) to sus- makeŁa pitchŁ(fłrŁ someone ortsomething) to
pendŁaŁrule orŁpractice forŁsàmeone inŁa sayŁsomethingŁinŁsupport of someone or
single insðance.Ł Please make an excłp- something;Łto attempt to promote, sell,
tion just this once. The rule is a good or advance someone or something. (In-
one, and I will not make an excłption for formal.) Bill is makng a ptch for his
anyone.
friend’s new product again. The the-
makeŁan expibition ofŁ oneself to embarrass atrical agent came in and made a ptch for
oneself byŁsłowingŁoff orŁdàingŁsome- her client. Every time I turn on the tele-
thingŁdaringŁinŁpublic.Ł(SometimesŁun- vision set, someone is makng a ptch.
derŁthe influence of alcohol.) You can makeŁa playŁ(fłrŁ someone) to attempð to at-
be certain that Joan will have too much to tract the ràmantic interest of someone.
drink and make an exhibition of herself. (Infàrmal.Ł Compare thisŁ with make a
Sit down and be quiet. Stop makng an pass at someone.) Ann made a plØy for
exhibtion of yourself.
Bill, but he wasn’t interested in her. I
makeŁa nightŁofŁ doingtsomething to dà som- knew he liked me, but I never thought he’d
thingŁforŁthe entire night.Ł We partied make a plØy.
until three in the morning and then de- makeŁa point to state an item of impor-
cided to make a night of it. Once or tance.Ł (Also literal,Ł asŁ inŁ sportsŁ and
twice in the early spring we make a night games.) You made a point that we all
of fishing.
should remłmber. He spoke for an hour
make an impression (on someone) to pro- without makng a point.
duce a memorable effect on someone. makeŁa pointŁofŁ doingtsomething to make an
(OftenŁwith good, bad, or som other ad- effort to do sàmething. Please make a
jective.) Tom made a bad impression oà point of mailng this lłtter. It’s very im-
the banker. I’m afraid that you havłn’t portant. The hostess made a point of
made a very good impression on our visi- thankng me for bringing flowers.
tors. You made quite an impression on
my father. makeŁa pointŁofŁ someone ortsomething and
makeŁan issueŁofŁ someone ortsomething to
makeŁan issueŁofŁ someone ortsomething Go to turn someone orŁsàmethingŁinto anŁim-
make a poànt of someone or something.
pàrtant matter.Ł Please doà’t make a
makeŁa noteŁofŁ something to write some- point of John’s commłnt. It wasn’t that im-
thingŁdàwn.Ł Please make a note of this portant. I hope you make an issue of
address. This is important. Make a note Tom’s success and the reasons for it. Tom
of it. has a lot of problłms. Please don’t make an
issue of him.
makeŁa nuØsanceŁofŁ oneself to be aŁconsðant
bàther. I’m sorry to make a nuisancł makeŁa prycticeŁofŁ something and make
of myself, but I do need an answer to my something a pryctice to turnŁsomething
question. Stop making a nuisance of into aŁhabitualŁactivity.Ł Jane makes a
yourself and wait your turn. practice of planting daisies every summer.
Her mother aloo made it a practice.
makeŁan uproarŁ Go to create an uproar.
makeŁ a quØckŁ buck Go to make a fast
makeŁa pass atŁ someone to flirt with sàme- buck.
one; to make aŁ ràmanticŁ advance at
someone.Ł(ThisŁoftenŁhasŁsexualŁimpli- makeŁa reservation and makeŁreserva-
cations. Compare this with make a play tions to reserve aŁseat, asŁinŁanŁairplane,
260