The Frazels - phrasal verb practice

The Kit Car - uses of 'make up'

There are also exercises you can do on this video before you read the text.

This video gives examples of the different meanings of the phrasal verb "make up". Listen carefully to see how many meanings you can hear. Mike and John actually get confused themselves and there are some misunderstandings which lead to confusion. See below dialogue box for help with difficult vocabulary. Enjoy!

Mike: (Whistling while waiting for a bus. His friend, John, comes along in his car.) Hello, John! Fancy seeing you! How are you doing, mate? John: Hi, Mike! Look, I can’t stop here. This is a bus stop and I’m on a bend. Mike: Don’t worry about that! The bus is always late. It can’t make it up the hill! Let’s look at your car! New is it? John: Well, sort of. Like it, Mike? Mike: Lovely lines. What is it? John: It’s a kit car. Mike: What’s a kit car, then? John: I bought a kit and then I put it together from parts. Took me six years to build! Mike: You’ve made it up! John: No, I haven’t made it up. I really did put it together myself! Mike: Right. That’s what I meant. You made it up yourself. John: Oh, yeah. I thought you said I’d made it up. Mike: I did. I mean, you did, didn’t you? (confused look) John: Eh… Right. (confused look) Mike: Six years! Expensive? John: Well, it’s cheaper than buying a new one but, even then, my mum had to make up the difference. Mike: Your mum? She’s a good sort, your mum. John: Salt of the earth. Mike: So where are you making for, John? John: I’m going to see Mary. Mike: All right! So you’ve made it up, then? John: Yeah. I mean, after ten years, what else can you do? Mike: My sentiments entirely. John: We’re going for a splash-up meal. Mike: Making up for lost time I see! John: Too right! Want to make up the numbers? Call Sharon and we could make up a foursome. Mike: Eh…. (Mike switches case to other hand) John: What’s the matter? Can’t make up your mind? Mike: Well, I’d like to go but it’s Sharon. She needs an hour to make up. John: You’ve had an argument! Mike: No! John: Make up what, then? (looks confused) Mike: Her face, of course. John: Oh, right! An hour?! Are you making it up? Mike: No, not me. Sharon. Why would I make up Sharon’s face? (confused look) John: I meant… Never mind… (confused look) So what time could you make it? Mike: Which restaurant? John: Taj Mahal. Mike: Time? John: Could you both make it for eight? Mike: We could try. Bit worried about making it back though. A few pints on top of that chicken tikka… John: Don’t worry about that. We’ll make up a bed for you both at our place. Mike: Fantastic idea! (knocks front headlamp off with his briefcase) Aggh! John: (When the headlamp is at its highest point, John whispers “oh, no!? The headlamp crashes to the ground.) Mike: I’m so sorry! I’ll make it up to you! I promise! John: (John gets out of the car and picks up the headlamp.) Don’t worry, don’t panic, don’t panic. It’s not even scratched. It’s going to be ok. It’s ok. (The sound of a bus approaching. The bus crushes John’s car.) Mike: Oops! Bus is early! (John faints.) Mike: Don’t suppose he’ll ever make up after that!

Explanation of difficult vocabulary:

lovely lines – Mike refers to the shape of the car and its design.

A kit car – In the UK you can buy kits and construct the car yourself. You need good mechanical knowledge but the kit comes with instructions like a wardrobe from IKEA!

She’s a good sort – a good person.

Salt of the earth – a very good and honest person.

My sentiments entirely – I agree with you completely.

Too right! – You are right!

A splash-up meal – an elaborate and expensive meal.

A few pints – A few glasses of beer.

Chicken tikka – an Indian dish; John was planning on going to the Taj Mahal restaurant.

At our place – at our house.