making magic

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiomfigurative

   Creating something wonderful, impressive, or seemingly impossible, often in a creative or collaborative context.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the subject is the person or group creating the effect. Often used in continuous tenses: 'They are making magic together.'

   Patterns

   • make magic
   • make magic with something
   • make magic together

   The chef and the farmer made magic with fresh, local ingredients.

   When the band plays together, they really make magic on stage.

2. 2phraseidiom

   Performing tricks that seem to defy natural laws, as a magician does.

   Grammar: This is the literal sense, used when talking about actual magic performances.

   Patterns

   • make magic
   • make magic for an audience

   The magician made magic for the children at the birthday party.

   He learned to make magic with cards and coins.

Common combinations

make magic together

The two actors made magic together in the romantic comedy.

make magic with

She can make magic with a simple piece of cloth.

make magic happen

The team worked hard to make magic happen on the project.

Synonyms and how they differ

create wonders

This is more formal and less common; it emphasizes amazing results.

work wonders

This often refers to producing a beneficial effect, not necessarily something magical.

Opposites

Word family

magic noun

The power to influence events by supernatural means, or a delightful quality.

magical adjective

Having a special, delightful quality, as if by magic.

Commonly confused: making magic or make magic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “making magic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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