Differences between make out and take out
Make out means to see, hear, or understand something with difficulty, while take out means to remove something from a place or to go somewhere with someone and enjoy a social activity.
Meanings and Definitions: make out vs take out
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Make out
- 1Make a cheque payable to somebody.
Please MAKE the cheque OUT to RGM Productions Ltd.
- 2Pretend.
He MADE OUT that he was ill so that he didn't have to go to school.
- 3Progress.
How are your children MAKING OUT at the new school?
- 4Kiss and pet.
They were MAKING OUT at the party last night.
- 5Discern a small detail.
I can just MAKE OUT the outline of a flying saucer in this photo.
- 6Be able to see or hear something.
Can you MAKE OUT what she's saying?
- 7Understand someone's nature or personality.
He's strange; I can't MAKE him OUT.
Take out
- 1Borrow a library book.
I TOOK OUT all the books I needed for my essay from the library.
- 2Borrow money from a bank or other official lender.
Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a mortgage to buy a bigger flat.
- 3Extract or remove.
The dentist TOOK OUT all of my wisdom teeth before they started causing any problems.
- 4Go out socially with someone, especially a date.
He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant last Friday night.
- 5Obtain insurance.
I TOOK OUT some health insurance before I went backpacking around Latin America.
- 6Kill, murder.
The gang TOOK him OUT after he spoke to the police.
Usage Examples: make out, take out in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
make out
Example
I can barely make out the words on the sign.
Example
She makes out the faint sound of music in the distance.
take out
Example
I always take out the trash after dinner.
Example
She takes out the garbage every morning.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Make out
To understand or comprehend a specific idea or concept.
Example
After reading the article a few times, she finally grasped the concept of quantum physics.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take out
To take something away from a place or position.
Example
He removed the old furniture from the room to make space for the new one.
To take something from someone with the intention of returning it later.
Example
Can I borrow your pen for a moment?
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “make”
Phrasal Verbs with “take”
Differences in make out vs take out: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: make out or take out?
In daily conversation, people use take out more often than make out. This is because take out is used for more daily tasks and routines such as eating out or borrowing something. Make out is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about understanding something with difficulty. So, while both phrases are used, take out is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of make out and take out
Take out is an informal phrase often used in casual conversations. It is suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. Make out can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly used in informal settings.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of make out and take out
The tone of make out and take out can differ based on context. Make out often carries a frustrated or confused tone when related to understanding or hearing something, while take out typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to removing objects or ordering food.