Make up the numbers

Question

Hello,Is it OK to say "making up numbers" omitting the "the". I'd think it's not quite correct.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

making up numbers Sounds like a general phrase

making up the numbers Sounds like it refers to specific numbers, eg the numbers in my financial report.

Clive

Sarnga1157 · Answer

Thanks for the reply, Clive. I am a bit confused here; I'd think that "making up the numbers" would refer to a specific context as opposed to saying "making up numbers", as in "Dave and Gary were just making up the numbers". So here, when it's being used as a phrase in a particular context, I'd think omitting "the" is not quite right, but I am not sure when I could say "making up numbers" . Please explain with examples if possible.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I am a bit confused here; I'd think that "making up the numbers" would refer to a specific context Yes. I did my best to explain that in my example about financial numbers.
as opposed to saying "making up numbers", as in "Dave and Gary were just making up the numbers". When you say 'the numbers' here. it makes it a specific reference. When you say 'the numbers'., it sounds to me like you think I know the numbers that you are referring to.
So here, when it's being used as a phrase in a particular context, I'd think omitting "the" is not quite right, but I am not sure when I could say "making up numbers" . Please explain with examples if possible.

Although it is correct grammar, it's hard to think of a good context in which you'd be likely to say "make up numbers'.
eg Tom makes up stories. He invents stories.
eg Tom makes up numbers. Sounds like an awkward way of saying that he selects numbers at random.

Clive

Sarnga1157 · Answer

Thanks for your explanation, Clive. That was very helpful.

The one context where I saw "making up numbers" being used is,

"I don't think they were taken very seriously by anyone. They were just there to make up numbers".

Is the above correct, and also common usage?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Not quite.
That idiom is 'make up the numbers', referring to the specific numbers of people that are expected to be there.

eg You invite 4 men and 4 women to a dinner party. One man can't come, so you invite another man in order to make up the numbers.

Clive

Sarnga1157 · Answer

Sorry about being unclear in the beginning, but this context was what I always had in mind. So, the idiom is always "making up the numbers" and can never be used as "making up numbers"?

An example: Suppose I don't have a fixed number in mind, and say we have a game where any number of people can join; and I am referring to the last couple who joined as not so good players and are just "making up numbers". Is this right? If not, does it mean that this idiom is just for meant to be used like this? What would be a correct way to express this? Hope I am clear this time.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In the scenario you describe, if you said eg 'Tom and Mary are not good players. They are just making up numbers', I wouldn't understand your meaning.
And I don't understand it right now.

Clive

Sarnga1157 · Answer

What I intend to mean is that they don't add any value to the game itself but they just add to the people count. So, I'd be wrong if I said it that way, right? How would you say it?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I really don't understand what you are trying to say.

How about this? eg They are just extra people.

Clive

Sarnga1157 · Answer

Thank you very much, Clive for staying the course with me! I got your point, even though I was at a loss to convey what I was trying to say.

Make up the numbers

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