Choose the option that will replace the error highlighted in bold.
He tried to make up the real meaning behind her silence, but failed.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Correct Answer
Make out
Explanation
The sentence describes someone attempting to understand or decipher the hidden meaning behind a person's silence. To solve this quickly for an exam, analyze the contextual meaning required by the phrasal verb.
The original phrase "make up" means to invent a story, resolve a fight, or apply cosmetics, which does not fit the context of understanding something obscure. The phrasal verb "make out" specifically means to manage to see, hear, read, or understand something with difficulty.
The other options—"make for" (to move toward a place) and the non-standard combinations "make on" and "make about"—do not carry the meaning of comprehension. Therefore, Option 4 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Selecting the correct phrasal verb requires identifying the specific context of comprehension versus creation or movement.
The phrasal verb "make out" is the standard idiomatic expression used when referring to deciphering or understanding a hidden or unclear meaning.