make something of

Idioms  

1. Render important or useful; improve. For example, Dad hoped Tim would make something of himself . [Late 1700s]

2. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

make something of

“We as Americans have always prioritized ‘Go build something,’ make something of yourself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026

Four roommates, each chasing a different dream, all of us messy, creative and trying to make something of ourselves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

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

So whenever the pressure seemed too intense and it seemed that they were about to fall, they remembered Anne’s words. . . we have the opportunity to get an education and make something of ourselves.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers