How can you 'make' a hole?

[matty2670]

Surely a hole only exists when you take something away, so to say you 'make' a hole must be wrong. Don't know what made me think of this, must be the heat...

[THECORBYLOON]

I suggest you have a quick rub down wi the latest AB Newsletter and sit in a darkened room for a wee bit ok?

<NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!>

[fleckboy]

i believe this phrase is older than you or me, i remember this being used in the navy, on ships and submarine, when the capt had to get through the narrow corridors, he would often shout " make a hole" meaning to me and the others on board, clear the gangways... there are many others i can remember like: took the wind out of his sails, toe the line, tar jim tar, scuttlebutt, devil to pay, cup of joe.

we wouldnt be british without our old saying and phrases, it amazes me that ppl still find the english phrases hard to get.

[Quizmonster]

If you tell your boss that you haven't got time to do something or other, he might well say: "Make time!" Similarly with make merry, make peace, make friends and a host of other such 'make' phrases, none of which actually involves any form of 'manufacture'. All just idioms and part of the rich tapestry of English.

It's probably of no great interest to anyone, but the response above is my 7,000th on AnswerBank. Couldn't just let it pass without notice, really. Sorry for using your thread for this, Matty.

[matty2670]

Congratulations Quizmonster! And thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

[bernardo]

"Make" means (in this context) to cause something to come into existence. The "something" does not need to be a physical object or a concrete substance with mass and form; it may be only a metaphysical entity or concept. So making a hole means causing a discontinuity to come into existence within the fabric of a physical object.

It is for this reason that it is necessary for the penguins to hide under the mushroom before it's too late.

[cameo]

how often are you making holes? perhaps you should just dig the hole instead