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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Make out a lineup, change pitchers — what’s so tough?

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2014

“But you didn’t have to cut me off/ Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing,” he accuses his ex, jumping up an octave.

From Time • May 15, 2012

"Make out your bond," the editor curtly ordered.

From The Sins of the Father A Romance of the South by Dixon, Thomas

Make out a list of all the different timber you will require, such as posts, beams, joists, rafters, &c.—

From A Manual of the Malay language With an Introductory Sketch of the Sanskrit Element in Malay by Maxwell, William Edward, Sir

"Good!" exclaimed General Leman; then, turning to his secretary, he added: "Make out an order for these gentlemen to be attached to the 9th regiment of the line—your company, Major?"

From The Dispatch-Riders The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists in the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)