Understanding 'Make Up'

The phrasal verb 'make up' refers to reconciling after a disagreement or argument. This term highlights that, while children often resolve conflicts naturally and resume playing together, adults typically need to acknowledge their roles in the conflict to genuinely mend relationships. Engaging in gestures like apologizing or doing something special for the other person, such as buying a gift or preparing a thoughtful meal, can facilitate this reconciliation process. For example, the speaker shares how, in childhood, they would create handmade cards to apologize to their mother, demonstrating a heartfelt effort to restore harmony in relationships.