What Does “make sth out” Mean?
“Make sth out” means to see, hear, or understand something, often with difficulty. It can also mean to identify or describe something clearly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “make sth out” is commonly used in English to describe the ability to recognize, understand, or interpret something that is not immediately clear. The make sth out meaning usually involves figuring something out by paying close attention, especially when the information is confusing or hard to see. You might hear this phrase when someone is trying to identify a distant object, understand unclear speech, or interpret a situation. Understanding how to use “make sth out” will improve your listening and speaking skills, especially in everyday conversations where things aren’t always obvious.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: make something out
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To see, hear, or understand something with difficulty
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Make sth out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between “make” and “out” or after the whole phrase.
- make something out
- make out something
Example:
- I couldn’t make out the sign from far away.
- I couldn’t make the sign out from far away.
How to Use “make sth out”?
You use “make sth out” when you want to say you can or cannot clearly see, hear, or understand something. It is often used in situations where the information is unclear or difficult to interpret. For example, when you are trying to read blurry text, hear a faint sound, or understand someone’s unclear explanation, you can say “I can’t make it out.”
It is also used when identifying or describing something, such as “Can you make out what that building is?”
Examples
Imagine you are looking at a distant object, but it is hard to see. You might say, “I can’t make out what that is.” Here are more examples using “make sth out in a sentence”:
- She could barely make out the words in the old letter.
- It was so foggy that I couldn’t make out the road signs.
- He tried to make out the meaning of the strange message.
- We couldn’t make out his face in the dark.
- Can you make out what they are saying on the phone?
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “make sth out” with “make out” meaning to kiss or to pretend. Here’s how to avoid mistakes:
- Incorrect: I make out the letter. (missing object or unclear)
- Correct: I can’t make out the letter.
- Incorrect: She make out with him in the park. (different meaning of make out)
- Correct: She tried to make out the handwriting.
Differences / Synonyms
“Make sth out” is similar to “figure out” or “work out,” but there are differences. “Make out” often refers to physical perception (seeing or hearing), while “figure out” usually refers to solving a problem or understanding an idea.
- Make out: I can’t make out the sign from here. (seeing)
- Figure out: I can’t figure out the answer to this question. (understanding)
- Work out: She worked out the meaning of the poem. (understanding)
Common Collocations
There are common objects used with “make sth out” that help describe what is being seen or understood:
- Make out the words – to read or hear words clearly
- Make out the face – to recognize someone’s face
- Make out the meaning – to understand the meaning
- Make out the handwriting – to read handwriting
- Make out the shape – to recognize a shape or form
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of make sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “make sth out”:
Anna: Can you make out what that sign says over there?
Ben: Not really, it’s too far and the letters are blurry.
Anna: Maybe if we get closer, we can make it out.
Ben: Good idea! Let’s go.
Practice
Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of “make out”:
- I couldn’t _______ the words on the old map.
- She tried to _______ what he was saying in the noisy room.
- Can you _______ the shape of the mountain from here?
Answers: make out, make out, make out
FAQs
- What does “make sth out” mean?
It means to see, hear, or understand something with difficulty.
- Is “make sth out” separable?
Yes, you can put the object between “make” and “out” or after the phrase.
- Can “make out” mean kissing?
Yes, but that is a different meaning. “Make sth out” usually means understanding or seeing.
- What level is “make sth out”?
It is an intermediate phrasal verb, around B1 level.
- How do I use “make sth out” in a sentence?
You can say, “I can’t make out the letters on this sign.”
