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3. have the makings of

have the makings of

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have the makings of something

Fig. to possess the qualities that are needed for something. The young boy had the makings of a fine baseball player. My boss has all the makings of a prison warden.

See also: have, making, of

have (all) the makings of something

to seem likely to develop into something I think we have the makings of a good team this year. This story has all the makings of a first-class scandal.

See also: have, making, of

have (all) the makings of something

to seem likely to develop into something The story has all the makings of a first-class scandal. She has the makings of a great violinist.

See also: have, making, of

have the makings of

Have the abilities or qualities needed to become something, as in She has the makings of a fine teacher, or, as Shakespeare put it in Henry VIII (4:1): "She had all the royal makings of a Queen." [Late 1500s]

See also: have, making, of