Make or Do?

Many languages have only one verb for do and make, but in English these two verbs are found in a number of more or less fixed expressions.

Basic Meanings

Make - to create or cause to exist by combining parts or by giving form to some material.
We make paper into many things.

Some expressions:
- to make a dress / cake / sandwich
- to make bread / dinner / breakfast / lunch
- to make a fire / a camp / a mistake
- to make the beds / a journey / a sound / a noise
- to make something from something
- to make something out of something
- to make somebody do something


Do - to perform an action, to act in general
He does what he likes to do.

Some expressions:
- to do a test / an exam / an exercise / a composition
- to do a sum / a course / algebra/one's lesson / the homework
- to do a puzzle / one's duty
- to do something to somebody
- to do good to somebody
- to do one's best
- to do with/without something