What does this phrasal verb mean "to make for"? Is it an idiom?

[Mister Micawber]

I was unable to accept an invitation at such a short notice.
I was unable to accept an invitation because of business.
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[Davidwang512]

According to the replies above, can we say that "making for a certain place" and "leaving for a certain place" mean the same thing?
thank you very much for your reply!
David

[Mister Micawber]

Not really. 'Make for' shows a strong goal-oriented attitude, and it can be used at any stage of the journey.
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[English Teacher]

Hi,
Is this phrasal verb a standard English or American?
thanks for your efforts really.
English teacher
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[Mister Micawber]

Yes, it is.
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[OxfordBlues]

Wow! Does the TOEFL really have something so colloquial as "to make for"?

I don't think I know a single person who uses that actively.
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[Mister Micawber]

It must be an Americanism, then.
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[OxfordBlues]

LOL I'm American ;)
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[Mister Micawber]

Then it's a Briticism. Anyway, I use it.

59. make for,
a. to go toward; approach: to make for home.

Ignoring the question, the inspectors made for the door...
He opened the door, peered into the hallway and then made for the steps when he verified it was empty...
Capt. Michael Rescino made for Paradise, took up the trolling routine in 12 feet of water, and...
staff was assembled in the ship's one large conference room and everyone had made for the nearest storm cellar...
etc, etc.
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[Maia K]

Hi Torsten,
It means that going to and driving to are synonyms to making for?

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, but

[Admira]

Hello Torsten
I just finish the test "Where am I",and my score is 9 out 10 for the first time.In second time of course 10 out 10.It was very interesting topic this one,I just learned the difference between "Going to,for" and "Making to,for".Thank you your explanation it was very helpful.
I wish all of you the best.
Have a nice day.
Admira.
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To be or not to be ,that is the question.

[Ashi]

Hello Sir Torsten,
In my today's test unit 20 'where am I?', I have understood my rest mistakes but in the question number 6 phrase 'making for' is used rather than driving. Does it show that we use 'making for' when we are about to moving towards our desired place and word 'driving' never come before the word for in the sentence if we talk about destination.
Thank you,
Regards,
Ashi.

[Dongtien]

"Going for" is incorect.What about : "going to".Thanks!

[Mister Micawber]

'Going to' is not an answer choice for this question, Dongtien. The answer is 'making for', which means 'going to'.
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