• MAKE DEAD MEN CHEW TOBACCO
vb. 1805 Amer. nautical sl. – of a purser: to falsify accounts in order to conceal the embezzlement of funds or stores
• MAKE-DEBATE
n. 1741 obs. – a makebate; one who or something which creates contention or discord; a breeder of strife
vb. c1350 obs. – (as ‘make debate’) to make opposition or resistance
• MAKEDOM
n. c1470 Sc. obs. – form, shape; esp. elegant form, shapeliness, comeliness
• MAKE DOUBT
vb. 1. 1586 obs. – to hesitate, to scruple
vb. 2. 1709 obs. – to doubt, to be uncertain
• MAKE DOWN
vb. 1838 Eng. dial. – to prepare, to make ready
• MAKE DUCK SOUP OF
vb. L19 US sl. – to totally destroy
• MAKE END AND EVEN
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to be extravagant
• MAKE FACES
vb. L18 sl. – to father children
• MAKE FAIR WEATHER WITH
vb. 1598 obs. – to curry favour with
• MAKE-FARE
n. c1300 obs. – an alleged name for the hare
• MAKE FASHION
vb. 1816 Sc. – to pretend; to make a pretense of
• MAKE FEET FOR CHILDREN’S SHOES
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to copulate
• MAKE-FIRE
n. 1560 obs. – an incendiary
• MAKE-FRAY
n. 1598 obs. – a raiser of quarrels
• MAKE GALLOWS-APPLES OF
vb. 1830 sl. – to hang
• MAKE-GAME
n. 1762 – one who or that which furnishes matter for amusement; hence a laughingstock, butt
• MAKE GLAD CHEER
vb. 1. a1275 obs. – to be or appear cheerful
vb. 2. c1330 rare – to feast, to make merry
• MAKE-GOD
n. 1705 obs. – a derisive term to Romish priests
• MAKE GOOD
vb. 1967 US sl. – in poker: to match another player’s increased bet
• MAKE GOOD CHEER
vb. 1. a1400 obs. – to be or appear cheerful
vb. 2. 1693 rare – to feast, to make merry
• MAKE HAY
vb. 1762 – to make confusion, to confuse
• MAKE HAY OF
vb. 1703 – to throw into confusion, to turn topsy-turvy, to upset
• MAKE HEAD AGAINST
vb. 1577-87 – to resist; to rise in insurrection or revolt against; to advance in spite of
• MAKE HOME
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to shut
• MAKE INDENTURES
vb. 1622 sl. –to stagger with drink
• MAKE IT
vb. M20 US sl. – to coit; said of a man or a woman or both
• MAKE IT GOODLY
vb. 1611 obs. – to give oneself airs
• MAKE IT SNAPPY
int. 1926 UK sl. – quickly!
vb. 1926 UK sl. – to be quick
• MAKE IT WITH
vb. 1957 sl. – to have sex
• MAKE KNOTS
vb. World War I navy sl. – to move fast
• MAKE-LAW
adj. 1582 obs. – law-giving
• MAKE LEAP YEAR OF
vb. 1606 obs. – to pass over
• MAKELESS
adj. 1. a1225 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – without an equal; matchless, peerless
adj. 2. c1425 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – mateless, wifeless, husbandless, widowed
• MAKE LIKE AN ALLIGATOR AND DRAG ASS
vb. 1951 US sl. – to leave, to clear out
• MAKE LIKE HORSE SHIT AND HIT THE DUSTY TRAIL
vb. 1990 US sl. – to depart, to leave
• MAKE LITTLE SHOES
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – of a labourer: to have no regular employment
• MAKE LONG ARMS
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to help oneself at table
• MAKE-LOOK
n. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – a made-up appearance; a sham
• MAKE MAC WITH
vb. 1989 Amer. sl. – to flirt with; to come on to
• MAKE MARKET
vb. 1340 obs. – to trade, to buy and sell
• MAKE MARLOCKS AT
vb. 1863 Eng. dial. – to make eyes at; to flirt
• MAKE MARTYRDOM
vb. 1485 obs. – to slaughter
• MAKE MASHELTON OF ANYTHING
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to do anything imperfectly, to make a muddle of, to bungle
• MAKE MAWMS
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to make faces
• MAKE MEAT
vb. a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to prepare food
• MAKE MEAT OF
vb. 1848 US West. sl. – to kill
• MAKE MEDICINE
vb. 1903 Amer. dial. – to have a discussion and come to agreement; to hold a conference
• MAKE MERRY CHEER
vb. 1487 rare – to feast, to make merry
• MAKE MICKLE OF
vb. 1. 1725 Sc. – to show great attention to, to make much of
vb. 2. 1824 Sc. – to succeed, to prosper
vb. 3. 1895 Sc. – to be in good health; to improve in health
• MAKE MINCEMEAT OF
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to ruin; to destroy
• MAKE MIRATION
vb. 1884 Amer. dial. – to wonder at
• MAKE-MIRTH
n. 1656 obs. – a make-sport; one who or something which provides sport for others; hence, a laughingstock
• MAKE MOWS
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to make grimaces or mocking faces
• MAKE Ms AND Ws
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to be drunk; to walk in a zigzag fashion
• MAKE NEITHER END-LANG NOR SIDE OF
vb. 1875 Eng. dial. – to make nothing of, to not understand or comprehend
• MAKE NEITHER END NOR SIDE OF
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to make nothing of, to fail to understand
• MAKE NEITHER MANE NOR TAIL OF A THING
vb. 1894 Sc. – to make neither head nor tail of it
• MAKE NO KNOBS
vb. L17 sl. – to act immediately, to resist one’s scruples
• MAKE NO NEVER MIND
vb. 1930s sl., orig. US – to be utterly unimportant
• MAKE NO ODDS
vb. 1776 – to make no difference, not better or worse
• MAKE-NOUGHT
adj. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – profitless, of no avail
• MAKE OF
vb. Bk1913 Amer. dial. – to pet, as a cat
• MAKE OFF
vb. 1940s US sl. – to pretend
• MAKE OLD BONES
vb. 1828 – to live to an old age
• MAKE ONE
vb. 1. 1970s sl. – to join in with, such as for a drink
vb. 2. 1970s UK prison sl. – to plan and effect an escape
vb. 3. 1970s UK criminals’ sl. – to put together plans for a crime, esp. a robbery, and then carry out that crime
vb. 4. 2000s sl. – to commit a murder
• MAKE ONE NO MIND
vb. 1966 Amer. dial. – to be of no importance or consequence to one
• MAKE ONE OUT
vb. 1970s UK prison sl. – to plan and effect an escape
• MAKE ONE RIGHT
vb. 1950s African-American sl. – to feel good, esp. as a result of drug use
• MAKE ONE’S ADIEU
vb. 1567 – to say goodbye
• MAKE ONE’S ALLEY GOOD
vb. 1. 1909 Aust. & NZ sl. – to ingratiate oneself; to curry favour by flattering
vb. 2. 1924 Aust. – to exploit a situation; to improve one’s position
• MAKE ONE’S BIRD
vb. 1960s US college sl. – to leave
• MAKE ONE’S BLOOD BOIL
vb. 1848 sl. – to annoy or infuriate
• MAKE ONE’S BONES
vb. 1. 1950s US criminals’ sl. – to arrange and carry out one’s first contracted murder
vb. 2. 1970s sl. – to achieve a successful course or action in one’s profession or work
• MAKE ONE SEE DOUBLE AND FEEL SINGLE
phr. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – said of strong liquor
• MAKE ONESELF RIGHT
vb. 1950s African-American sl. – to feel good, esp. as a result of drug use
• MAKE ONESELF SCARCE
vb. 1. L18 sl. – to slip away, to hide
vb. 2. 20C colloq. – to depart, esp. suddenly
vb. 3. 20C colloq. – to stay away; to avoid
• MAKE ONE’S EYES PASS SOMEBODY
vb. 20C W. Indies sl. – to speak disrespectfully to one who ought to be treated respectfully
• MAKE ONE’S FEATHERS RISE
vb. 1956 Amer. dial. – to make one tense with anger
• MAKE ONE’S FEET THEIR FRIEND
vb. 1896 Sc. – to go off quickly; to run away
• MAKE ONE’S HASLET CURL
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to surprise or injure one
• MAKE ONE’S HEAD
vb. L18 Irish sl. – to acquire a tolerance or ‘head’ for drink
• MAKE ONE’S JACK
vb. 1778 Eng. dial. – to make one’s fortune; to succeed in an undertaking
• MAKE ONE’S LOVE COME DOWN
vb. 1. 1928 Amer. dial. – to cause one to become sexually aroused
vb. 2. M20 African-American sl. – to cause an orgasm
• MAKE ONE’S LUCKY
vb. 1821 sl. rare – to get away, to escape; to decamp
• MAKE ONE’S MANNERS
vb. 1824 Amer. dial. – to perform conventional rituals of courtesy or respect
• MAKE ONE’S MARBLE GOOD
vb. 1909 Aust. & NZ sl. – to ingratiate oneself; to curry favour by flattering
• MAKE ONE’S MARK
vb. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to distinguish oneself
• MAKE ONE’S MEAN
vb. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to complain
• MAKE ONE’S OBEDIENCE
vb. 1828 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to curtsy
• MAKE ONE’S PILE
vb. 1854 sl., orig. US – to become rich
• MAKE ONE’S TOES CURL
vb. 20C colloq. – to make one feel exquisite pleasure or extreme disgust
• MAKE ONE’S TONGUE SLAP ONE IN THE FOREHEAD
vb. 2008 Amer. dial. – of food: to taste good
• MAKE ONE’S TONGUE SLAP ONE’S BRAIN
vb. 2003 Amer. dial. – of food: to taste good
• MAKE ONE’S TONGUE SLAP ONE’S JAW TEETH OUT
vb. 1986 Amer. dial. – of food: to taste good
• MAKE ONE’S TONGUE SLAP ONE’S TONSILS
vb. 2009 Amer. dial. – of food: to taste good
• MAKE ONE’S TONGUE SLAP THE ROOF OF ONE’S MOUTH
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – of food: to taste good
• MAKE ONE’S TUCKER
vb. L19 sl. – to earn at least enough for one’s bed and board
• MAKE ONE WITH
vb. 1970s UK criminals’ sl. – to commit a crime in partnership with one or more other people
• MAKE OR MEDDLE
vb. 1773 Sc. – to interfere in any way
• MAKE OR MEND
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to interfere in any way
• MAKE OUT
vb. 1. 1960s Amer. sl. – to kiss in a sustained and passionate manner
vb. 2. M20 US sl. – to copulate
• MAKE-OUT ARTIST
n. M20 US sl. – a seducer; a lecher
• MAKE OUT WITH
vb. 1939 sl., orig. US – to have sex, often stressing success in achieving sexual intercourse with a woman
• MAKE-PEACE
n. 1516 – one who or something which makes peace; a peacemaker
• MAKE-PLAY
n. 1592 – a make-sport; one who or something which provides sport for others; hence, a laughingstock
• MAKE POO-POO(S)
vb. 1976 sl., chiefly a children’s term – to defecate
• MAKER
n. 1387-8 obs. exc. arch. – a poet
• MAKE RAB
vb. 1950s W. Indies – to make a fuss; to complain
• MAKE RABBITS
vb. 20C Royal Navy usage – to indulge one’s hobby, esp. in making things, e.g. gifts for children
• MAKE RAT
vb. 20C W. Indies – to sneak into without paying
• MAKERESS
n. 1857 – a female maker of something
• MAKE ROAST MEAT FOR WORMS
vb. 1594 sl. – to kill
• MAKE SALT TO ONE’S KAIL
vb. 1891 Sc. – to earn one’s living to make a sufficient livelihood
• MAKE-SHAME
adj. 1850 – causing shame
• MAKE SHEEP’S EYES
vb. 1984 Amer. dial. – to look amorously or lovingly upon
• MAKE-SHIFT
adj. 1592 obs. – of persons: shifty, roguish
n. 1. 1565 obs. – one who is given to making shifts; a shifty person, a rogue
n. 2. 1802-12 – a temporary substitute of an inferior kind
n. 3. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – an excuse
• MAKE-SHIFTY
adj. 1858 – shifty, roguish
• MAKE SHORT METER OF
vb. 1916 Amer. dial. – to dispose or rid of quickly
• MAKE SITE
vb. 1338 obs. rare – to lament, to mourn
• MAKE SOMEONE CREAK IN THEIR SHOES
vb. L19 sl. – to terrify, to frighten someone
• MAKE SOMEONE JUMP
vb. 20C sl. – to keep someone in a state of anxiety or fear
• MAKE SOMEONE ONE
vb. 1960s US sl. – to give someone an abortion
• MAKE SOMEONE PISS
vb. 1. L17 sl. – to annoy, to infuriate, to disgust
vb. 2. 1980s Aust. sl. – to beat up; to defeat
• MAKE SOMEONE’S BRISTLES RISE
vb. M19 sl. – to irritate, to infuriate
• MAKE SOMEONE SCREAM
vb. 1980s US college sl. – to have sexual intercourse with someone
• MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY
vb. 1909 sl. – to please, to delight
• MAKE SOMEONE SIT UP
vb. 1. L19 sl. – to astound, to shock, to galvanize someone into action
vb. 2. 1910s sl. – to take one’s revenge
• MAKE SOMEONE’S LOVE COME DOWN
vb. 1930s African-American sl. – to stimulate someone sexually; to cause to reach orgasm
• MAKE SOMEONE’S NIPPLES ACHE
vb. 1950s sl. – to irritate, to annoy
• MAKE SOMEONE’S NOSE SWELL
vb. M18 sl. – to make someone jealous
• MAKE SOMEONE TURN (OVER) IN HIS GRAVE
vb. 20C – to do something that would have shocked or distressed someone now dead
► MAKE-SPORT adj. providing sport; mocking → 1582 obs.
n. one who or something which provides sport for others; hence, a laughingstock → 1611 obs.
• MAKE STREAKS
vb. Bk1904 sl. – to decamp swiftly, to go with a rush
• MAKE-STRIFE
n. 1617 obs. – a makebate; one who or something which creates contention or discord; a breeder of strife
• MAKE-TALK
n. 1856 – something said for the mere sake of talking
• MAKE THE AIR TURN BLUE
vb. 1890 UK sl. – to use obscene or blasphemous language
• MAKE THE CHIMNEY SMOKE
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to cause a woman to have an orgasm
• MAKE THE GARDYLOO
vb. 1808 – to throw the dirty water out
• MAKE THE HEELS CRACK
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to make haste
• MAKE THE NUT
vb. 1966 US sl. – to suffice
• MAKE THE POT WITH THE TWO EARS
vb. 1675 obs. – to set the arms akimbo
• MAKE THE SCENE
vb. 1. 1958 US sl. – to participate in ‘Beat’ social life; to arrive and participate in a social gathering
vb. 2. 1960s Amer. sl. – to visit; to stop by
vb. 3. 1966 sl. – to have sex
• MAKE THE SKIES LOOK BLUE
vb. c1660 Brit. sl. – to carouse; to have a very jolly time
• MAKE THIN LININGS
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – of the wind: to be cold and piercing
• MAKE TIME
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to go fast
• MAKE TIME WITH
vb. 1934 N. Amer. sl. – to make sexual advances
• MAKE TRACKS
vb. 1833 sl. – to go, to run; to leave; to depart hurriedly
• MAKE-UP
n. Bk1905 Sc. – a fabrication, a lie
vb. c1820 colloq. – (as ‘make up’) to make love to a person
• MAKE UP ONE’S LEG
vb. 1909 Brit. costermongers’ sl. – to make money
• MAKE UP ONE’S MOUTH
vb. 1909 Brit. costermongers’ sl. – to obtain one’s living
• MAKE UP TO
vb. c1820 colloq. – to make love to a person
• MAKE WATER
vb. 14C colloq. – to urinate
• MAKE WAVES
vb. 1962 sl., orig. US – to cause trouble
• MAKE-WAY
n. 1894 – an event which leads up to another .
• MAKE-WEIGHT
n. 1. 1695 – a comparatively small quantity added to make up a certain weight; spec. a small candle
n. 2. 1776 – a person or thing of insignificant value thrown in to make up a deficiency or fill a gap
• MAKE WHOOPEE
vb. 1928 sl., orig. US – to enjoy oneself; to have fun
• MAKE WIMWAMS FOR WATER-WHEELS
vb. 1865 Eng. dial. – to do an absurd or ridiculous thing
• MAKE WIND
vb. 20C US sl. – to break wind
• MAKE-WISE
n. 1. 1846 Eng. dial. – a pretense, make-believe
n. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – a substitute
vb. 1867 Eng. dial. – (usually as ‘make wise’) to pretend, to feign, to make believe
• MAKE WORK
vb. 1. 1816 Sc. – to make a fuss or to-do; to be angry
vb. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to damage, to injure, to hurt
vb. 3. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to make mischief
• MAKE YOUR ALLEY GOOD
vb. 1924 Aust. sl. – to improve your situation; to redeem yourself in the eyes of others
• MAKE YOUR HEAD SAVE YOUR HEELS
phr. 1946 Amer. dial. – advice to use your brain
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