What does 'make up for' mean?

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #196 [color=blue]“Phrasal Verbs (L to P)”, question 5

He decided to … his past mistakes by doing some good in his community.

(a) make up about
(b) make up for
(c) make up over

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #196 [color=blue]“Phrasal Verbs (L to P)”, answer 5

He decided to make up for his past mistakes by doing some good in his community.

Correct answer: (b) make up for

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
He decided to make up over his past mistakes by doing some good in his community.
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Does “make up for” mean to get rid of smth bad?Thanks.

2

Hi,

‘Make up for’ suggests that you want to make good something that you have done badly. It has the idea that you want to compensate for the wrong you have done. In a way you want to put things right.

Alan