Make It

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HSS  #358065  Mon, 30 Apr 07 04:36 PM

People often say something like, "You made it! " meaning you achieved success. But I have this weird feeling you don't hear "I know you can make it" as often. Is "make it" meaning achieve success normally used in the past tense? Is it okay to say "I know you can make it," or should I say "I know you can do it" instead?

Best,

Hiro

  
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Kooyeen  #358079  Mon, 30 Apr 07 04:54 PM
Hi,
I think I hear "You did it!" more often...

- Last question... What color is a fire truck?
- Oh, this is difficult... A fire truck... fire truck, fire truck...
- Come on Peter...
- Hang on, hang on Lois, this is not a race...
- Fire truck, fire truck... Is it red?
- Yes Peter, you win! You did it!

Dialogue similar to one in an episode of Family Guy.

  
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Marius Hancu  #358105  Mon, 30 Apr 07 05:49 PM
Not the same. 

You've made it!

is related to financial success.

  
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Yankee  #358148  Mon, 30 Apr 07 07:14 PM
In AmE, you can also say "You made it!" to someone when they successfully manage to achieve a specific goal or do something unexpected, especially when the sense is go, come, attend, or possibly arrive.

For example:

You invited John and Mary to your party, but they told you they probably would not be able to make it (come).  On the day of the party, you might say "You made it!" to John and Mary when they (somewhat unexpectedly) arrive.

Your young son has taken swimming lessons and now wants to attempt to swim the full length of a swimming pool for the very first time.  Before he begins, you might say "I know you can make/do it!"  After he successfully swims the length of the pool, you can say "You made/did it!"


  
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CalifJim  #358224  Mon, 30 Apr 07 09:26 PM
I have this weird feeling you don't hear "I know you can make it" as often.

Maybe the idiom to make it not used as often in the other tenses, but it's certainly not restricted to the past.

CJ
  
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HSS  #358310  Tue, 01 May 07 12:46 AM

So "I know you cam make it" to give someone confidence, or convince or coax him to pursue his/her goal is perfectly understandable?

Hiro

  
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