Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[janechou111]

Dear teachers,

In the sentence,

'John worked very hard and made it to the top.'

what does 'it' mean?

What does 'made' mean?

Does it mean ' to cause to sth. happen'?

Or can I treat "made it" as a unit meaning "success"?

Thank you inadvance
Jane

[damon@English24/7]

You would be right to treat it as a unit meaning success.

Damon

[Affix]

b) is what u are looking for

make it
a) to succeed in getting somewhere in time for something or when this is difficult
If we run, we should make it.
make it to
With blood pouring from his leg, he made it to a nearby house.
b) to be successful at something, for example in your job
He came to the US and not only made it but made it big (=was extremely successful) .So far, relatively few women have made it to the top in the business world.
make it as
He was told he had no talent and would never make it as a professional singer.
make it to
England look less likely to make it to the finals.
make it to manager/director etc How did anyone so stupid make it to manager?
c) spoken to be able to go to an event, meeting etc that has been arranged
I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to make it on Sunday after all. Nice to see you. I'm glad you could make it.
d) informal to continue to live after you have been seriously ill or badly injured
Frank was very ill, and the doctors didn't think he'd make it.
e) to manage to deal with a difficult experience
make it through
I couldn't have made it through those times without the support of my boyfriend.
f) used to say or ask what time it is according to your own or someone else's watch
What time do you make it? I make it ten past three.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English