Learn English – “Make a success of”

word-choice

Can I use "make a success of" to imply that something succeeds?

For example:

There are many famous novelists who made a complete success of their first novel.

I want to say that the novelists succeeded in their first novel.

Best Answer

"... whose first novel was a complete success" sounds better. It is possible to "make [someone/something] a success", as in, "Her first novel made her a success almost overnight.", but "make a success of" doesn't sound right.

Ironically, you can "make a mess of" something. But not a success of it.