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BBC Learning English

Face up to Phrasals
Fred & Betty: Is this the End?
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Episode 4: Who's the Liar!


Fred: Don't listen to Martin, Betty! It's not true! He's
making it up!
Is Martin a liar?
Go to episode 5 to find out!

Make up
Meaning: if you make something up, you invent an untrue story or explanation, often in order to hide
the truth.
Grammar: This phrasal verb must have an object. The object can go between the verb and particle, or
after the particle. If you want to use a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle.
She made up an excuse
She made an excuse up
She made it up
She made up it
Example sentence: Charlie didn't want to admit that he hadn't done his homework, so he made up a
story about leaving it on the bus.
Synonyms: invent, devise, concoct, fabricate, cook up, manufacture, come up with

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Face up to Phrasals

bbclearningenglish.com

BBC Learning English 2008


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