make it

/meɪk ɪt/

/meɪk ɪt/

Other forms: made it; makes it; making it

To make it is to accomplish something, or to become successful. Your college advisor might tell you that to make it in the physics department, you've got to be good at both science and math.

An actor might try to make it in Hollywood, while a young dog lover may hope to make it in the world of dog shows. You can also use make it to mean "pass," asking your friend, "Did you make it?" and having her answer, "No, I have to take the driving test again next month." And when you just barely make it, you survive: "He's trying to make it on a librarian's salary."

Definitions of make it

1. verb

   succeed in a big way; get to the top
   “I don't know whether I can make it in science!”

   synonyms: arrive, get in, go far

   type of:

   bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win

   attain success or reach a desired goal
2. verb

   go successfully through a test or a selection process
   synonyms: pass

   types:

   ace, breeze through, nail, pass with flying colors, sail through, sweep through

   succeed at easily

   type of:

   bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win

   attain success or reach a desired goal
3. verb

   continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.)
   synonyms: come through, pull round, pull through, survive

   type of:

   defeat, get the better of, overcome

   win a victory over