make something of

1Render important or useful; improve. For example, Dad hoped Tim would make something of himself. [Late 1700s] 2Give undue importance to something, especially a problem or disagreement, as in Ann decided to make something of it when Bob said women’s studies is not a real discipline. This usage sometimes is put as make something out of nothing, as in So what if Jim had coffee with your girlfriend—don’t make something out of nothing. For an antonym, see make nothing of, def. 1.