Make or do?
an excuse
make an excuse
after
take after (to be like a family member)
ahead
get ahead - to be in front of others (literally or figuratively)
a decision
make a decision - to reach a conclusion; to decide
off
both
set off - to begin a journey
put off - to delay or postpone
sports
do sports (we usually use do and not practise)
off
take off (to remove, to become suddenly successful or when a plane leaves the ground)
together
get together - to meet up
an impression
make an impression - to do something that means other people notice and remember you (can be positive or negative depending on the context)
out
both
set out - to explain your plans
put out has a literal meaning (i.e. I put the cat out = I put the cat outside)
some work around the house
do
about
bring about (to happen or make something happen)
out of
get out of - find a way to not have to do something you don't want to do
the most of
make the most of - to take advantage of a good or lucky situation
fire to
set fire to - to start a fire
a go of it
make a go of it - to try
on
both
take on - to accept a task
bring on has a literal meaning (to carry something on) and is also an expression "bring it on", meaning you accept a challenge)
up to
get up to - to be involved in (often used negatively - for example "to get up to trouble"/ "to get up to no good")
a gesture
make a gesture - to communicate non-verbally
your foot down
put your foot down - to be strict with someone
your duty
do your duty (to do what is necessary or expected of you)
to a head
bring to a head (to reach a conclusion or a climax)
rid of
get rid of - throw away
allowances for
make allowances for - to give someone an advantage or a chance because of a limitation they have
two and two together
put two and two together - draw a conclusion
You can also say "put two and two together to make five" when someone comes to the wrong conclusion