make something of

interpréter, comprendre

Se faire une idée du sens de quelque chose ou de la façon de le comprendre.

En anglais simple : To form an idea about what something means or how you should understand it.

• Can you make anything of this note?
• I could not make much of his reply.
• She tried to make something of the strange message.

Comment l'utiliser : make something/anything/nothing of something (I cannot make anything of this message.); what do you make of something? (What do you make of her explanation?)

Synonymes : interpret, understand

Expressions courantes : make something of this, make something of remarks

tirer parti de, faire quelque chose de

Faire devenir quelqu’un ou quelque chose utile, précieux ou capable de réussir.

En anglais simple : To help a person or thing become useful, successful, or valuable.

• He wants to make something of himself.
• She made something of a difficult childhood.
• We can make something of this opportunity.

Comment l'utiliser : make something of someone/something (She wants to make something of her talent.)

Synonymes : develop, improve

Expressions courantes : make something of yourself, make something of life

en faire une histoire, chercher la bagarre

Faire d’un sujet un motif de dispute ou de défi, souvent en provoquant l’autre.

En anglais simple : To turn a point into an argument or challenge, often by inviting someone to object.

• Want to make something of it?
• He dared me to make something of his insult.
• She called him lazy, and he wanted to make something of it.

Comment l'utiliser : want to make something of it? (Yes, I took your seat. Want to make something of it?)

Synonymes : make an issue of, pick a fight over

Expressions courantes : make something of it, make something of that