to make things happen

Examples

• All

• He can make things happen for you.

  Burlesque (2010)

• You gotta go out there and make things happen.

  The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)

• These are the people who make things happen within society.

• Sometimes you need to make things happen.

  Love in Winterland (2020)

• You wanted me to make things happen.

  The Lady in the Van (2015)

• If you can make things happen for yourself, you now have the credibility to make things happen for other people.

• Seth is on the phone trying to make things happen.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Because the secretaries are the ones who actually make things happen in offices.

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• You may want to find people who are more ambitious, ready to go, you know, drive, drive our goal forward, make things happen kind of people.

• You have to step up and make things happen in your life.

Synonyms

C

to cause

vsto make things happen

∞ 1.0

To make something happen

stresses active effort and initiative to bring results

I

to initiate

vsto make things happen

426 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

is broader, including causing results at any stage through initiative

B

to bring about

vsto make things happen

203 3.0

To make something happen

focuses more on the role of active initiative in causing results

I

to induce

vsto make things happen

168 5.3

Cause a process, event, or feeling to start

centres on active effort and initiative rather than just triggering

T

to take action

vsto make things happen

161 2.8

To do something to solve a problem or make a change

specifically highlights causing events through initiative rather than mere effort

M

to make it happen

vsto make things happen

143 3.0

Get something you want by working to reach it

is the general idea of causing events by action and initiative

M

to make it possible

vsto make things happen

88 2.4

To allow someone or something to do what they could not before

requires active effort and initiative to actually cause events or results

P

to propel

vsto make things happen

45 4.7

To make someone want to do something

focuses on initiating events by direct action and personal initiative

S

to set in motion

vsto make things happen

25 3.5

To make something begin to move or happen

includes starting actions but also covers creating outcomes later on

G

to get the ball rolling

vsto make things happen

16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

involves not only starting but also ensuring results occur through effort

C

to call forth

vsto make things happen

7 4.9

Cause a feeling or reaction to appear in people

is broader, covering active steps to cause events beyond reactions

E

to effectuate

vsto make things happen

• Formal

4 8.6

To make something happen, for example a plan or change

expresses causing events by action rather than formal emphasis

S

to set the wheels in motion

vsto make things happen

• Informal

1 4.9

Start a series of actions that lead to later changes

is the wider act of causing results, not only the initial step

A

to actuate

vsto make things happen

• Specialized

1 7.3

To make a machine start working

covers human initiative more broadly, not just machines or triggers

Antonyms

P

to prevent

∞ 2.3

Stop something from happening or someone from doing it

I

to inhibit

30 5.4

Stop or make something less likely to happen

How Effective

to transform

523 3.4

to make things happen

21 3.2

to drive

∞ 3.6

to influence

591 2.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology