Dic: make sth out to be the case, make out a case for sth

3. [PHRASAL VERB] V P that, V n P to-inf, V P △If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case.

• They were trying to make out that I'd actually done it...
• I don't think it was as glorious as everybody made it out to be... 
• He was never half as bad as his teachers made out.

4. [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) for/against n, also V n P △If you make out a case for something, you try to establish or prove that it is the best thing to do.

• You could certainly make out a case for this point of view...

..... COBUILD

CF. make out: vb (adverb)

1. (tr) to discern or perceive: can you make out that house in the distance? 
2. (tr) to understand or comprehend: I can't make out this letter.
3. (tr) to write out: he made out a cheque.
4. (tr) to attempt to establish or prove: he made me out to be a liar.
5. (intr) to pretend: he made out that he could cook.
6. (intr) to manage or fare: how did you make out in the contest?
7. (intr; often foll by with) informal. chiefly US and Canadian. to engage in necking or petting: Alan is making out with Jane.

.... COLLINS