make it — English Dictionary

Verb

1. 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.

   Examples

   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.

   More examples (5)

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

   As long as we have each other, it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.

   We're not gonna make it / ’Cause there’s a million better bands

   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.

   He was fated to be, as he puts it, “a metal kid who never made it.”

2. To succeed in surviving, in living through something.

   Examples

   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.

   Arjaan didn't make it. He went down covering our saboteur-took out nearly a dozen kett before he fell.

3. To have sexual intercourse.

   Synonyms

   do itget it

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Iris Steensma (Jodie Foster): “Listen, we better make it or Sport’ll get mad. So how do you wanna make it?” Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro): “I don’t wanna make it. Who’s Sport?” Iris Steensma: “Oh, that’s Matthew. I call him Sport. Wanna make it like this? (starts to unbuckle belt)[…] “Don't you want to make it?” Travis Bickle: “No I don’t wanna make it. I wanna help you” […] Iris Steensma: “Listen, we don’t have to make it mister.”

   […]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.

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make, it.

   Examples

   The blisters on my foot made it a problem to walk without a cane.

Verb

1. continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.)

   Synonyms

   survivepull throughpull roundcome through

   Broader terms

   get the better ofovercomedefeat

   Examples

   He survived the cancer against all odds

2. succeed in a big way; get to the top

   Synonyms

   arriveget ingo far

   Broader terms

   succeedwincome throughbring home the bacondeliver the goods

   Examples

   After he published his book, he had arrived

   I don't know whether I can make it in science!

   More examples (1)

   You will go far, my boy!

3. go successfully through a test or a selection process

   Synonyms

   pass

   Broader terms

   succeedwincome throughbring home the bacondeliver the goods

   Examples

   She passed the new Jersey Bar Exam and can practice law now