make for

To help cause a particular result or make it more likely.

• Good friends make for a happy life.
• The short chapters made for easy reading.
• Heavy traffic does not make for a relaxing journey.

How to use it: make for something (Clear instructions make for fewer mistakes.)

Similar words: contribute to, lead to, result in

Common phrases: make for success, make for good reading

To create something intended for a particular person or purpose.

• I make lunch for my children.
• She made a scarf for her father.
• Can you make a poster for the party?

How to use it: make something for someone (I made a card for my sister.)

Similar words: create for

Common phrases: make something for someone, make for someone

To move towards a place, usually because you want to reach it.

• We should make for home.
• The crowd made for the nearest exit.
• She is making for the station on foot.

How to use it: make for somewhere (When the rain started, we made for shelter.)

Similar words: head for, go towards

Common phrases: make for home, make for the exit

To decide that someone is a particular kind of person.

• They made him for a criminal.
• The officer made the stranger for a spy.
• Did you make her for a police officer?

How to use it: make someone for someone/something (The detective made him for a thief.)

Similar words: take for, identify as

Common phrases: make someone for something, make for a criminal