make a fortune—make a lot of money:
- I exploited these unhappy natives to make a fortune for myself. We colonialists thought only of private gain.
make one’s fortune—attain a comfortable position in life:
- Exiled to Canada where he made his fortune, he lost touch with his three sisters.
Cf.: seek one’s fortune—try to attain personal and financial success:
- Anderson made the decision to go West and seek his fortune in California.