make strange: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom make strange is a colorful and expressive phrase that is commonly used in everyday conversations. When someone says that something or someone makes strange, they mean that the subject is behaving in a strange or unusual manner. It can describe behavior that deviates from the expected or normal, conveying a sense of unfamiliarity or peculiarity. This idiom is often found in informal conversations and can also be seen in various literary works.

The origin of the idiom make strange is somewhat mysterious, as there are no definitive historical records that pinpoint its exact origin. However, it is believed to have originated in the English language and has been in use for several centuries. Despite its long-standing history, the specific etymology of the phrase remains unknown.

Using the idiom make strange to describe odd behavior is quite common. For example, if someone says, "He made strange by wearing a clown costume to the office," they mean that the individual acted oddly or unusually by choosing to wear such clothing in a professional setting. This idiom effectively conveys a sense of surprise or confusion about someone's behavior.

Make strange can also describe a person's reaction to something unexpected or out of the ordinary. If someone says, "Her sudden outburst made strange to everyone in the room," they are expressing that the person's unexpected emotional display was surprising and bewildering to those present. This idiom captures the speaker's astonishment or confusion in response to the unexpected behavior.

It is important to note that the idiom make strange is idiomatic, meaning that its meaning is not derived from the literal definitions of its individual words. Instead, it carries a figurative and metaphorical meaning that has evolved over time. While native English speakers are familiar with this idiom, non-native speakers or those learning the language may find it confusing due to its figurative nature and lack of an obvious connection to its literal definition.

Make strange is related to several other idioms. One related idiom is "make faces," which means to distort one's facial expressions in a comical or exaggerated manner. While make strange refers to overall strange behavior, make faces specifically focuses on the distortion of facial expressions. For instance, if someone says, "He made strange by wearing a clown costume to the office and made faces at his coworkers," it means that the person not only dressed oddly but also made funny or exaggerated facial expressions towards their colleagues.

Another related idiom is "make an ass of," which means to make a fool or idiot of oneself. While make strange refers to general strange behavior, make an ass of specifically implies that the person is acting in a way that makes them look foolish or ridiculous. For example, if someone says, "He made strange by wearing a clown costume to the office and made an ass of himself by trying to juggle in the conference room," it means that the person not only behaved oddly but also embarrassed themselves by attempting to juggle in a professional setting.

The idiom make strange is also related to "do somebody wrong," which means to treat someone unfairly or harmfully. While make strange focuses on strange or unusual behavior, do somebody wrong specifically implies that the person is behaving in a way that is unjust or hurtful towards someone else. For instance, if someone says, "He made strange by wearing a clown costume to the office and did his coworkers wrong by constantly interrupting their work," it means that the person not only acted strangely but also treated their colleagues unfairly by repeatedly disrupting their tasks.

Despite its long history and widespread usage, the idiom make strange still offers opportunities for further exploration and investigation. Its exact origin and development are yet to be fully understood, leaving room for future research and discoveries. As the English language continues to evolve and adapt, idioms like make strange will likely continue to be used and interpreted in new and interesting ways.