What Does "Make up the Numbers" Mean?
"Make up the numbers" is an English idiom. It means "to complete a group, often without fully participating or being essential to the group's function."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "make up the numbers" used in a sentence:- I was only invited to make up the numbers at the party.
- We need two more players to make up the numbers for the football match.
- She felt she was just there to make up the numbers at the workshop.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Make up the Numbers" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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