What does this phrasal verb mean: "Make it up"?

[dzungqn]

Test No. incompl/inter-5 "do/make/get/take", question 4

After they had shouted at each other, they decided to ......... it up.

(a) do
(b) get
(c) make
(d) take

Test No. incompl/inter-5 "do/make/get/take", answer 4

After they had shouted at each other, they decided to make it up.

Correct answer: (c) make

Your answer was: correct
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I made it right but in fact I dont understand so much with "make it up" in this case, please expain. Tks

[Torsten]

To make up is a phrasal verb which can have many different meanings depending on the context you are using it in.
In the given sentence it means to become friends again after having quarreled.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Cgk]

Hi,

I would have gotten it right, but the "it" confused me. I only know the expression this way: After they had shouted at each other, they decided to make up. Is it wrong to say it without the "it"?

[Alan]

Hi Claudia,

There is a subtle distinction between 'make up' and 'make it up', at least for me because 'make up' on its own could mean 'apply make up to your face'. When you say 'make it up' there is no doubt that this means become friends again. There is also another meaning of 'make up', suggesting 'invent' 'create'.

On this subject you may wish to look at a piece I've dome for the site on the topic of make and do.

http://www.english-test.net/lessons/5/index.html

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/run

[Cgk]

Hi Allen,

thank you for clearing that up!

Claudia