have the makings of

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to confirm any agreement but said that "we perhaps have the makings of a deal here."

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

“We perhaps have the makings of a deal here,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

These findings have the makings of being a stark warning for our current climate-challenged planet.

From Scientific American • Oct. 10, 2023

Leap says the creators have the makings of a potential game changer — “but they’ve got to put some meat on the bones.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2022

“Clever Cassiopeia! She will have the makings of an excellent governess someday.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood