make things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make things up" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it generally means to invent, fabricate, or create something that is not true. Example: "The author's writing style was so vivid, it made me feel like I was living in the fantasy world she had made up in her head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make things up.

The New Yorker

I have to make things up!

The New York Times

Aren't you tempted to make things up?

The New York Times - Books

People make things up on the internet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You know what actors do — they make things up".

The New Yorker

That's what I do, I make things up".

The New York Times - Arts

They had to make things up as they went along.

The New York Times - Arts

You can't just make things up, of course.

The Guardian

But she didn't know how to make things up, she didn't know when to make things up, and it seemed to her extremely unfortunate that she had to make things up at all.

The New Yorker

"They want to be able to have the freedom to make things up as they go".

The New York Times - Arts

"You can't just make things up that 100 percent violate the truth," Mr. Talbot said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make things up" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the fabrication is intentional deception or creative storytelling. The tone and surrounding language should reflect the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "make things up" when a more precise term like "speculate", "hypothesize", or "imagine" would better convey the intended meaning, especially in formal or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things up" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It's used to describe the act of creating something, often a story or information, that isn't based on reality. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make things up" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of inventing or fabricating information or stories. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across different registers, but is most often found in news, media, and informal contexts. While it can be used positively in the context of creativity, it is important to consider the intent behind its use, as it can also imply deception. When writing, it's essential to be precise in conveying whether the act of making things up is innocent storytelling or deliberate falsehood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fabricate stories

Focuses on the act of creating false narratives or accounts.

invent details

Highlights the creation of specific, often minor, elements within a larger context.

concoct a tale

Implies a more elaborate and carefully constructed fabrication.

cook up a story

Suggests a less sophisticated or more impromptu creation of a false narrative.

spin a yarn

Emphasizes the storytelling aspect of fabrication, often implying a folksy or informal tone.

create fictions

Highlights the imaginative and often literary aspect of inventing something untrue.

devise a narrative

Focuses on the structured arrangement of events, whether true or false, into a story.

dream up scenarios

Implies a imaginative creation of hypothetical events or situations.

trump up charges

Specifically refers to fabricating accusations or legal claims.

prevaricate

A more formal term for avoiding the truth, often through evasion or indirectness.

FAQs

How can I use "make things up" in a sentence?

You can use "make things up" to describe inventing a story, like "The children "make things up" during playtime", or to refer to fabricating information, like "The politician was accused of "making things up" to win votes".

What's the difference between "make things up" and "fabricate"?

"Make things up" is generally more informal and can apply to innocent storytelling or deliberate deception. "Fabricate" implies a more deliberate and often malicious intent to create something false.

What are some synonyms for "make things up"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "invent", "fabricate", "concoct", or "devise".

Is it always negative to "make things up"?

Not necessarily. While ""make things up"" can imply dishonesty, it can also refer to creative endeavors like writing fiction or imaginative play, where inventing stories is a positive activity.