A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

make a claim for something • make a claim to
something
make a claim for something —demand compensation pay-
ment (under an insurance contract): If you send a parcel that
becomes lost or damaged … you may wish to make a claim
for compensation.
make a claim to something —(also: make a claim on something)
1
. assert one’s right to smth.: Japan made a claim to this ter-
ritory and argued that it was illegally occupied. 2. allege or
aver smth.: As I am not an anthropologist, sociologist or his-
torian, I make no claim to understanding culture from any of
those perspectives.
make a clean sweep of something • sweep
 something clean
make a clean sweep of something —
1
. eliminate smth.: The
revolutionary force of motorization has made a clean sweep
of all other patterns of living. 2. win all the prizes, seats in
parliament, etc.: Mr. Drapeau’s Civic Party made a clean
sweep of all 52 seats on the city council.
sweep something clean —clear dust, dirt, etc. from the area
with a brush or broom: Böhm promptly grabbed a broom and
swept the room clean himself.
See also: sweep clear for something / sweep clear of something.
make a compliment to someone • make one’s
 compliments to someone
make a compliment to someone —(also: pay a compliment to
someone) express praise or admiration for a person in a remark:
She was remarkable for her sincerity, and when she made a
compliment to anyone, she spoke what she really felt.
make one’s compliments to someone —(also: pay one’s compli-
ments to someone) express one’s greetings or good wishes to a
person: We are about to leave, so go make your compliments
to the host.
make a day of it • make someone’s day
make a day of it—devote a day to some pleasurable activity:
To make a day of it, invest 400 yen on a one-day pass that
allows passengers to get off and on at sites of interest along
the route.
make someone’s day —render smb.’s day delightful; give a
person great pleasure: I had it sent to him for an early Fathers
Day gift. He doesn’t get excited over too many things and this
hat definitely made his day!