Question

[cherry maltezidou]

When I want to say that I suceeded in sth I say I did it or I made it?

[BobK]

Generally, if it's concrete you make it (make tea, make a model, make a jumper..) and if it's abstract you do it (do the right thing, do gymnastics, do the honours...)

But there are many exceptions: make amends, make reparations, make tracks...(abstract); 'tracks' can be concrete - athletes run on a track - but when you 'make tracks' you just go away.

And if you succeed in making something you can say

• I made it - that is, the person who made it was me
• I did it - that is, I succeeded in what I was trying do

or

• I made it - an idiomatic way of saying 'I managed'

And in some cases you can use both. When you 'make an impression on someone' you do something that will make you memorable; when you 'do an impression of someone', you pretend to be them (often for comic effect).

Rather than try to apply any 'rule' like this it's best to read a lot and use dictionaries If I can find it I'll attach a list of collocations I compiled - but it's nothing like complete. )There are books of collocations, which are good - but don't try to learn them just from this sort of book.

b

PS - Found it (that file)

[BobK]

Another thought; sometimes one idea can be represented by either of two idioms that each use one of these verbs. The only one I've thought of so far is this: when you earn enough money to survive comfortably you either 'do well for yourself' or 'make a decent living'. (If you only 'make ends meet' you're 'not doing so well'! )

b