Definition

Verb phrase: - To begin or give the appearance of beginning an action, often without completing it. It describes a gesture or movement that suggests an intention, which is then halted or not followed through.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe a person's physical action that mimics or starts a real action, typically to signal an intention, reaction, or emotion, but stops short of completing it. It is often followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., to speak, to leave, to protest).

Examples

• He made as if to shake my hand, then suddenly pulled his back.
• She made as if to speak, but then decided against it.
• The cat made as if to pounce on the toy, then lost interest.
• I made as if to leave the room, hoping they would ask me to stay.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used in past or present narrative tenses to create a sense of interrupted action or unspoken thought.
• It is often employed in literature and descriptive writing to convey hesitation, pretense, or a momentary impulse.

Variants and Related Words

• Make believe: To pretend or imagine.
  • The children like to make believe they are pirates.
• Feign: (Verb) To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury.
  • He feigned illness to avoid the test.

Synonyms

• Pretend to: To give the false appearance of an action.
• Act as if: To behave in a way that suggests something.
• Give the impression of: To seem to be about to do something.

Related Phrases

• Make a move as if: A slightly longer variant with the same meaning.
  • He made a move as if to stand up.

Notes

"Make as if" is a set phrasal verb. It is not commonly used in very casual, everyday conversation but is standard in written and narrative English. The action that follows "as if" is typically something that is visible or physical.

Verb

1. begin or appear to begin an action
   • He made as if to shake my hand