have the makings of

Idioms

Have the abilities or qualities needed to become something, as in She has the makings of a fine teacher, or, as Shakespeare put it in Henry VIII (4:1): “She had all the royal makings of a Queen.” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Add to that the works of Ken Burns and company, 44 of which are available via PBS Passport, from 1982‘s “The Brooklyn Bridge” to this year’s “The American Revolution,” with “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “The Vietnam War,” “The Central Park Five,” “Country Music” and “The U.S. and the Holocaust” along the way, and you have the makings of a well-rounded citizen.”Nova” serves up science; this year’s shows include a two-part documentary on the building and life of the International Space Station and a timely look at superfloods.

From Los Angeles Times

“Clever Cassiopeia! She will have the makings of an excellent governess someday.”

From Literature

Penelope was well aware of her location—particularly after all those navigational studies with the children—but to Lady Constance the news seemed to have the makings of yet another epiphany.

From Literature

Mix in a banged-up Geno Smith under center and an injured Kenny Walker likely on the sideline, and you have the makings of an unhappy holiday for the 12s.

From Seattle Times

These findings have the makings of being a stark warning for our current climate-challenged planet.

From Scientific American

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023