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make up for

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make up for someone or something

 

1. to take the place of someone or something. John can't play in the game Saturday, but I think I can make up for him. Do you think that this cat can make up for the one that ran away?

2. to compensate for someone or something someone did. We all had to do extra work to make up for Harry, who was very tired from being out late the night before. We will certainly make up for what we failed to do.

See also: make, up

make up for something

1. to take the place of something She's a popular girl whose lively spirit makes up for her slight speech problem.

2. to help you deal with something The court awarded them two million dollars to make up for their pain and suffering.

See also: make, up