Phrase · B1 · Neutral · the inventing sense may be creative or dishonest
make up
mayk UP Stress up; the verb forms are make–made–made.
Invent a story, explanation, or excuse, either creatively or to make someone believe something untrue.
izmisliti; smisliti priču ili izgovor
Use it
We made up a different ending for the story on the bus ride home.
Creative invention does not have to be dishonest.
He said the office was closed, but he had made it up to avoid the visit.
A pronoun belongs between made and up; here the invention is deceptive.
Build the sentence
make up + story/excuse · make + story + up · make it up
Memory scene
A storyteller lifts a bicycle-riding dragon out of a blank notebook: the story comes from imagination, not a real event.
Watch out
In this sense, say make it up, not make up it. Other common meanings are form a whole (four rooms make up the apartment), become friendly again (make up with a friend), and do missed work (make up a class). Make up for means compensate for. Makeup is the US noun for cosmetics; the verb stays two words.
Nearby language
Covers creating an imaginary story but also creating a new device or method.
Often suggests deliberately inventing false evidence or an untrue account.
Means compensate for something bad or missing, not invent it.
Make it yours
Dete traži priču o pingvinu koji leti na posao balonom, a takvu priču nikad niste čuli.