Make a silk purse
see: can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
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- Make a splash
verb phrase To produce a strong and usually favorable impression; be very conspicuous: That’s the book that made such a big splash a couple of years ago (1820+)
- Make a stab at
Try to do something, as in I don’t know the answer but I’ll make a stab at it. This expression derives from stab in the sense of “a vigorous thrust.” [ Late 1800s ] Also see: make a pass at, def. 2.
- Make a stab at something
verb phrase To make an attempt; have a try: I’ve never done this before, but I’ll make a stab at it (1895+)
- Make a stand
Hold firm against something or someone, as in The government was determined to make a stand against all forms of terrorism. This idiom transfers the early meaning of holding ground against an enemy to other issues. [ c. 1600 ]
- Make a statement
Create a certain impression; communicate an idea or mood without using words. For example, The furnishings here make a statement about the company. [ Mid-1900s ]