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Need help from English native speakers

 
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Jerry Chen



Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 115

PostPosted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 3:17 pm    Post subject: Need help from English native speakers Reply with quote

Hello,

As the sentence says, "Even when it's sunny outside, only a small stream of light can make it into the room." What does "make it" here mean? Thanks for your help!


Last edited by Jerry Chen on Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:12 am; edited 1 time in total
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IanT



Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain

PostPosted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here, "make it into" means "succeed in entering"

"Make it" has lots of meanings, usually connected with success or survival.

Hope helps,
Ian
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All my answers refer to British English.

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pugachevV



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295

PostPosted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make it into means "enter".
If you enter, you have succeeded in entering.
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IanT



Joined: 13 Sep 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Spain

PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, yeah!

But the use of "make it into" rather than just, for example, "get into" has this slight, non-literal, almost poetic sense that the light wants to get in and is making an effort, and more light would come in too if it could.

So I used the word succeed out of respect for the light's imaginary struggles!

Slightly nicer than just "enter", for those of us who care about these things.
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.

www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.

You decide the price for both!
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