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

“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

But I understood if I was going to make something of myself, I had to do it myself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the plans would help out-of-work young people "make something of their lives".

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 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

“I’m very happy that God has given you this opportunity to make something of yourself, of your life. Don’t waste it, child.”

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane