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.
Bar-Zemer contends that safety features could be installed to make sure pedestrians have enough time to exit the pathway if water rises swiftly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
"We've got to make sure this village has a future and is able to roll back and continue to be," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Before budgeting for a Florida condo or a future summer home in Maine or Massachusetts, make sure you’ve set aside a dedicated emergency reserve that can comfortably absorb life’s unexpected costs.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 8, 2026
“The government is being extremely careful to make sure this exercise doesn’t affect daily routines,” said Chiayo Kuo, a member of a committee established by Lai to improve Taiwan’s civil defense and disaster response.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
I need to make sure it’s real, real.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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.
