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make of

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make something of someone or something

to succeed with improving someone or something; to turn someone or something into someone or something worthwhile. I tried to make something of you, but you had to do things the way you saw fit. I think I can make something of this script.

See also: make, of

make something of something

 

1. to make an interpretation of something. What do you make of this letter? Look through this and see what sense you make of it.

2. to turn an incident into a dispute. (Usually with it. Often as an invitation to fight. See also make something (out) of something.) Do you want to make something of it? He looks like he wants to make something of it.

See also: make, of

make something (out) of something

 

1. Lit. to make something out of parts or raw materials. I will make the cake out of the very best ingredients. Can you make a salad out of these vegetables?

2. Fig. to make an interpretation of something. Can you make anything out of this message? I don't understand it. I'm sorry, I can't make any sense out of it.

3. Fig. to interpret something negatively. (See also make something of something.) The hostess made too much out of my absence.

See also: make, of

make of

v.

1. To create or fashion something from something else: All that practice will make a good player of you. This statue is made of clay.

2. To consider something to be true of something or someone. Used chiefly as a question or in the passive: What do you make of these little pieces of wood? Not much was made of the evidence they found.

See also: make, of