Page 278 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

make overtures

neighbors made lttle of John and thought self at home. I’m glad you’re here. Dur-
he would amount to nothing. ing your visit, just make yourself at home.
makeŁloveŁ(to someone) to share physicalŁor makeŁ oneself conspØcuouð to aðtract atten-
emotionalŁlove (orŁboth)bwith sàmeone. tionŁto oneself.Ł Please doà’t make your-
(ThisŁphrase usuallyŁhasŁaŁsexualŁmean- self conspicuous. It embarrasses me.
ing.) Tom and Ann turned out the lights Ann makes herself conspicuous by wearing
and made love. The actress refused to brightly colored clothing.
make love to the leadng man on stage.
makeŁ oneself heyrd to speakŁloudlyŁso that
makeŁmerry to have fun;Łto have anŁen- one willŁbe heardŁabove the noise.Ł I
joyabl time. The guests certainly madł had to shout to make myself heard. He
młrry at the weddng. The children were screamed to make himoelf heard over the
makng merry in the backyard. sound of the plane’s engines.
makeŁmincemeatŁoutŁofŁ someone ortsomł- makeŁ oneself or something a laughingðtock
thing Go to make hamburger out of some- Go to make a laughingstock of oneself or
one or something.
something.
makeŁ mischief to cause trouble. Bob
loves to make mischief and get other peo- makeŁ oneself scarce to go away.Ł(Slang.)
ple into trouble. Don’t believe what Hey, kid, go away. Make youroelf scarce.
Mary says. She’s just trying to makł When there is work to be done, I make my-
mischief. self scarce.
MakeŁno bones aboutŁit. Make no mis- make (oneself)Łup to put makeup on one-
take (about it).; Do not doubt it.Ł(Folksy.) self.Ł I have to make up now. I go oà
This is the greatest cake I’ve łver eaten. stage in ten mnutes. I will make my-
Make no bones about it. Make no bones self up. I don’t need your help.
about it, Mary is a great singer. makeŁ one’ mindŁ up to decide.Ł Please
makeŁno dØffereàceŁ(to someone) nàt to make your mnd up. Which do you want?
matterŁto someone; forŁsomeone not to T Would you help me make up my mnd?
care (about something).Ł It makes no makeŁ one’ wayŁthroughŁ something Go to
dfference to me what you do. Do what- pick one’s way through something.
evłr you want. It really makes no
dfference. makeŁorŁbreakŁ someone eitherŁto improve
or ruinŁsàmeone.Ł The army will either
makeŁ no mistakeŁ (aboutŁ it) without a make or break him. It’s a tough assign-
dàubt; certainly. (Infàrmal.) This car młnt, and it will either make or break her.
is a great buy. Make no mistake about it.
We support your candidacy—make no makeŁoutŁ(withŁ someone ortsomething) 1. to
mistake. manage to do (something)bwith someone
makeŁnothingŁofŁ something to ignàr som- or something. I think I can make out
thingŁasŁif it hadŁnot happened;Łto think with this hammłr. If I can’t make out
no more about sàmething.Ł(OftenŁwith with John, I’ll have to ask for more help. 2.
it.) My father caught me throwing the [with someone] to flirt with, kiss, or hug
snowball, but he made nothing of it. I sàmeone; to make love (to someone).
made nothing of the remark, even though (Slang.) Bob was trying to make out
it seemed quite rude. I saw him leave, with Sally all evłning. She didà’t want
but I made nothing of it. to make out, so she lłft.
makeŁoffŁwithŁ someone ortsomething Go to makeŁoverŁ someone ortsomething Go to make
make away with someone or something. a fuss (over someone or something).
makeŁ oneself atŁ hłme to make oneself makeŁovertures to give hintsŁabout sàme-
comfàrtable asŁif one were inŁone’sŁown thing;Łto present orŁsuggest ideas.Ł The
hom. Please come in and make your- company made overtures about hiring me.

263