make something of
Idioms-
Render important or useful; improve. For example, Dad hoped Tim would make something of himself . [Late 1700s]
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Give undue importance to something, especially a problem or disagreement, as in Ann decided to make something of it when Bob said women's studies is not a real discipline . This usage sometimes is put as make something out of nothing , as in So what if Jim had coffee with your girlfriend—don't make something out of nothing . For an antonym, see make nothing of , def. 1.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He says that when people were vocal about their low expectations for the teenage father and husband, it fueled his desire to make something of himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
“He could relate to my problems, my environment. The drive, the determination, not to give in to the ghetto, to make something of my life, stems from my relations with him.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026
We had, after all, explicitly rejected the idea of an aristocracy and built our entire national mythology around the idea that you could make something of yourself no matter what the circumstances of your birth.
From Salon ● May 16, 2025
"They realised that I was all alone and I needed to make something of myself," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2024
“I just want you”—she breaks it—“to make something of yourself.”
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
