The phrase "make light of" means to treat something as unimportant or insignificant. Synonyms for this phrase include belittle, downplay, dismiss, minimize, trivialize, and make little of. These words can be used in various contexts, such as in a conversation where someone is trying to make light of a serious issue or in a situation where someone is trying to downplay their own accomplishments. However, it is important to recognize when these synonyms are appropriate to use and when it is necessary to take things more seriously.