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make out
verb
(tr) to discern or perceive
can you make out that house in the distance?
(tr) to understand or comprehend
I can't make out this letter
(tr) to write out
he made out a cheque
(tr) to attempt to establish or prove
he made me out to be a liar
(intr) to pretend
he made out that he could cook
(intr) to manage or fare
how did you make out in the contest?
informalto engage in necking or petting
Alan is making out with Jane
Idioms and Phrases
Discern or see, especially with difficulty, as in I can hardly make out the number on the door . [Mid-1700s]
Manage, get along, as in How did you make out with the accountant? This usage was first recorded in 1820.
Engage in sexual foreplay or intercourse, as in Bill and Jane were making out on the sofa , or Joe bragged that he made out last night . [ Slang ; early 1900s]
Understand, as in I can't make out what she is trying to say . [Mid-1600s] Also see can't make head or tail of .
Establish or prove, as in He made out that he was innocent . [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]
Imply or suggest. This usage often occurs with an infinitive, as in Are you making me out to be a liar? [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]
Write out, draw up; fill in a written form. For example, He made out the invoices , or Jane started making out job applications . This usage was first recorded in 1465.
Example Sentences
Natalie Martino was in her apartment facing the street when she heard people screaming and couldn’t make out what they were saying, but could hear what sounded like “ICE.”
Behind them, they began to make out the shapes of people.
“This country is made out of immigrants,” he said.
They smoothed out transitions, changed tempos to help connect songs and phoned up Parks when they were unable to make out lyrics.
They laid it out in the sun to dry, and were eventually able to make out some text.
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