make sure
Idioms-
Make certain, establish something without doubt, as in Make sure all the doors are locked . It is also put as make sure of , as in Before you make that speech, make sure of your facts . This usage was first recorded in 1565.
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make sure of . Act so as to be certain of something, as in He wanted to make sure of his own district before seeking support elsewhere . This usage was first recorded in 1673.
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.
To make sure the spacecraft was precisely lined up for the maneuver, the operations team carried out a trajectory correction maneuver on Feb. 23.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
But before I request the time off, I want to make sure I’m doing what’s allowed and what’s morally right.
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
There are a lot of viruses we should be looking out for, to make sure they won’t cause another pandemic.
From Salon • May 11, 2026
On two occasions she has had to take people to the small claims court to make sure Carmarthenshire-based West Wales Electrical Solutions has been paid.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
Tansy pinned up her skirts and played along with us to make sure nobody kicked Little Britches in the head by mistake.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
