make out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to discern or perceive

   can you make out that house in the distance?

2. (tr) to understand or comprehend

   I can't make out this letter

3. (tr) to write out

   he made out a cheque

4. (tr) to attempt to establish or prove

   he made me out to be a liar

5. (intr) to pretend

   he made out that he could cook

6. (intr) to manage or fare

   how did you make out in the contest?

7. informal to engage in necking or petting

   Alan is making out with Jane

---

make out Idioms  

1. Discern or see, especially with difficulty, as in I can hardly make out the number on the door . [Mid-1700s]

2. Manage, get along, as in How did you make out with the accountant? This usage was first recorded in 1820.

3. 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]

4. 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 .

5. Establish or prove, as in He made out that he was innocent . [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]

6. Imply or suggest. This usage often occurs with an infinitive, as in Are you making me out to be a liar? [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]

7. 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

"Sam," she said, "your shoes are always untied. I think I'll get you some of those sneakers that have fasteners made out of—what is that stuff called, the stuff that sticks together?"

From Literature

In her room was the model of the Golden Gate Bridge that she had made out of Popsicle sticks.

From Literature

Bat could make out the shape of the big oak tree on the lawn.

From Literature

Aunt Pretty sat in her high-back rocker, crocheting some lacy thing as usual, though for the life of me I couldn’t make out what it was meant to be.

From Literature

The glow of the hurricane lanterns on the boat was dim, but I made out wooden crates around the edges, covered with straw, with sacks peeping out, and in some, bunches of plantain.

From Literature