Learn English – What’s the differences between ‘get it right’ and ‘make it right’

confusable

I know that both "get it right" and "make it right" have a meaning of "correction", but what's the significant difference between them?

Best Answer

The two phrases can be used in different contexts, so it'll be hard to explain ONE difference that always holds true.

That said, I'd suggest that:

  • "Get it right" means, "Get your facts straight."
  • "Make it right" means, "You messed up and hurt someone, now go fix the situation."

For example:

Did you hear Justin Bieber got arrested for cocaine?

No, that's not true – he tested positive for alcohol and marijuana. Get it right.

And then:

I don't know why you thought it would be so funny to throw eggs at Mrs. Murphy's house. She's only been nice to you. You need to march yourself over there and make it right.

You're right, Dad. Not only will I help her clean up the mess, I'll offer to cut her lawn for free for the rest of the summer.

As I said, though, that's only one way to distinguish the two phrases. A math teacher might tell her students:

Be careful when you do your arithmetic. Make sure you get it right.

But then, if the students turn in answers with a lot of mistakes:

I want every student to correct their assignments. Any place where I've marked a problem wrong, you need to make it right.

Essentially, make it right refers to fixing something your got wrong, whereas get it right is an exhortation to not get it wrong in the first place.

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