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3. make something of

make something of

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make something of yourself

also make something of your life

to achieve success I want to make something of myself so that my family will be proud of me. She worked hard in school, hoping she could make something of her life.

See also: make, of

make something of

1. Render important or useful; improve. For example, Dad hoped Tim would make something of himself. [Late 1700s]

2. Give undue importance to something, especially a problem or disagreement, as in Ann decided to make something of it when Bob said women's studies is not a real discipline. This usage sometimes is put as make something out of nothing, as in So what if Jim had coffee with your girlfriend-don't make something out of nothing. For an antonym, see make nothing of, def. 1.

See also: make, of

make something of

To start a fight or quarrel over.

See also: make, of