English

Verb

make it ‎(third-person singular simple present makes it, present participle making it, simple past and past participle made it)

1. Used other than as an idiom: see make,‎ it.
2. (idiomatic) to succeed in doing something, for example in reaching a place, going somewhere, attending an event, arriving in time for something, adding to one's schedule or itinerary, or in getting where one wants to be in one's life or career, which sometimes means becoming or wanting to become successful (succeed in a big way) or famous.

   He never made it to Italy despite talking about it all his life.

   I can't make it to the concert; I have to work.

   I'm not just going to make it; I'm going to make it big.

   • 2003, Frank P. Baron, What Fish Don't Want You to Know

     I was scrambling to my feet when I saw the car sliding back toward me, having not quite made it to the crest of the hill.

   • 1995, The Presidents of the United States of America, We Are Not Going To Make It (song)

     We're not gonna make it

     ’Cause there’s a million better bands

3. (idiomatic) to succeed in surviving, in living through something
   • 1980, Will D. Campbell, Brother to a Dragonfly

     Don’t die, pal. You’re gonna make it little buddy. Come on, man. We’re gonna help you, and you’re gonna make it.

4. (idiomatic) to have sexual intercourse
   • 1993, Vladimir Paral, The Four Sonyas

     ...a fellow who knew how to make every girl happy, but once he’d made it with her didn’t know where to go from there.

Synonyms

• (to become successful): make it big
• (to have sexual intercourse): do it

Translations