make good

Succeed after struggling

Make good is to fulfill a promise, obligation, or debt: He finally made good on his pledge to quit smoking.

It can also mean to compensate for loss or damage: The company made good the stolen funds.

In older usage, to make good meant to succeed or prosper, especially after humble beginnings: a local kid who made good in Hollywood.

fulfill

pledge

Binding promise given

guarantee · assurance · oath · bond · covenant · undertaking · agreement · word · honor · deliver

repair

fix

Repair or solution

  • restoreReturn to earlier state
  • mendRestore after damage
  • patchMaterial covering damage

overhaul · refurbish · recondition · renovate · salvage · remedy · rectify · correct · replace · compensate

succeed

thrive

Flourish with vigor

excel · prevail · accomplish · achieve · rise · advance · break through · prove oneself · vindicate · arrive

escape

flee

Depart swiftly from threat

disappear · vanish · slip away · elude · evade · break free · run off · take flight · clear out · scram

Categories
Opposites
fulfilling promises/commitments

make goodbreak one's word

Fail to keep promise

renege · default · bail · back out · abandon

compensating for damage/loss

make goodstiff

Not easily bent

welch · evade · dodge · wash one's hands of · add insult to injury

achieving success/escape

make goodfail

Be unsuccessful

fall short · wash out · bomb · flounder · go nowhere

Family

good, make, made, goods, goodness, maker, making, homemade, remake

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G