make something of

present singular third person makes something of · participle present making something of · participle past made something of · past made something of

1. To transform (an object or person) into something worthwhile.

   "A wife might make something of you."

   1922, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 8, in The Girl on the Boat

   2 more examples

   My thousand a year is not merely a matter of dirty bank-notes and jaundiced guineas. […] I was determined to make something of it better than a fine old house to live in, than satin gowns to wear; […]

   1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], “Further Communications on Business”, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, page 52

   "When you send that message and tell these kids that you can succeed and you can make something of your life, that’s a very important message."

   2011 November 22, Jeff Tully, “Oscar De La Hoya a hit at Boys & Girls Club”, in Los Angeles Times, retrieved 05 Sep 2018

2. To develop an understanding or interpretation of.

   We couldn't make anything of his last remark.

   2 more examples

   No doubt your head aches, trying to make something of my description.

   1860, Oliver Wendell Holmes, chapter 8, in The Professor at the Breakfast Table

   They tried to make something of the communique's vague phrase about maintaining Soviet-American contacts and they implied that President Kennedy now had Premier Nikita Khrushchev's invitation to drop in at the Kremlin for a visit anytime he chooses.

   1961 June 5, Chalmers M. Roberts, “Talks Fail to Evoke Any 'Spirit of Vienna'”, in Washington Post, retrieved 05 Sep 2018

3. To insist on or emphatically challenge (a point or topic, especially one which may be a subject of disagreement).

   He's controversial. He's blunt. He could be a good New Yorker. That's my opinion. You wanna make something of it?

   1996 August 21, George Vecsey, “Does Reeves Entertain Death Wish?”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Sep 2018