make over
B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To transform or change the appearance, style, or ownership of something or someone significantly.
To completely renovate, remodel, or transfer legal title of something; in media contexts, a show or segment where a person's appearance is dramatically changed by experts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb. Can refer to physical transformation (appearance, rooms), financial/legal transfer, or metaphorical renewal. The noun form 'makeover' is very common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The noun 'makeover' is slightly more prevalent in US media/pop culture contexts (e.g., TV shows).
Connotations
Generally positive, implying improvement. Can be trivialised when referring to superficial changes.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with the noun form 'makeover' being more frequent than the verb phrase.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] makes over [something/someone] (to someone)[Something] is made over (to someone)[Someone] gets/gives a makeoverVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A new lease of life (related concept)”
- “Turn over a new leaf (related concept for personal change)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to rebranding, restructuring, or transferring assets. 'The company made over its property portfolio to the new subsidiary.'
Academic
Rare. Might be used in sociology/media studies discussing consumer culture and identity transformation.
Everyday
Very common for discussing changes to appearance, homes, gardens. 'We're planning to make over the spare room into a home office.'
Technical
In law: the formal transfer of property title. 'The deed was made over to the beneficiaries.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to make over the garden before summer.
- He made over the estate to his daughter.
American English
- We're going to make over the basement into a game room.
- The celebrity made over her image for the new campaign.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She got a makeover at the salon.
- My mum wants to make over the kitchen.
- The TV show helps people make over their homes.
- He made over his old car to look brand new.
- After the scandal, the politician needed a complete image makeover.
- The charity was made over a large sum of money in the will.
- The brand's makeover involved not just a new logo, but a fundamental shift in its corporate ethos.
- The legislation effectively made over control of the resources to the local authority.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAKE it OVER into something new. Imagine taking an old coat and making it over into a new bag.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/OBJECTS ARE CLAY that can be remoulded. IMPROVEMENT IS A NEW SURFACE/COVERING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'переделать' in the sense of redoing homework (исправить).
- Not a direct equivalent of 'преображать', which is more poetic/abstract.
- The noun 'макияж' in Russian only means cosmetics, not a full transformation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'make over' for minor changes (use 'tidy up' or 'rearrange').
- Confusing with 'make up' (reconcile or apply cosmetics).
- Incorrect stress: 'MAKE-over' (noun) vs. 'make OVER' (verb phrase).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'to make over' something means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The noun is almost always written as one word: 'makeover'. The verb phrase is written as two words: 'make over'.
Yes, commonly for 'image', 'career', 'website', or 'system' – anything that can be conceptually transformed.
'Renovate' is more specific to buildings and restoring to good condition. 'Make over' is broader, can be more stylistic, and applies to people, ideas, and objects.
It is neutral but leans informal, especially for personal appearance. In legal/financial contexts ('make over property'), it is standard formal terminology.