have the makings of

have the makings of (something)

To seem skilled or likely enough to become something. With a voice like that, Alice has the makings of a famous singer. Now that the team has won championships back to back, they definitely have the makings of a dynasty. I thought we had the makings of a serious relationship—that is, until he suddenly stopped calling and texting.

See also: have, making, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have the makings of something

Fig. to possess the qualities that are needed for something. The young boy had the makings of a fine baseball player. My boss has all the makings of a prison warden.

See also: have, making, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have the makings of

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]

See also: have, making, of

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.