这个短语是由make sb. to do sth省略to得来的。make, let等使役动词,以及感官动词后面接动词不定式作宾语补足语时都要省略to。
但这种句子如果变成被动语态,则又要补上to。如:
We made the little boy laugh. ----The little boy was made to laugh.
We observed the little boy laugh. ----The little boy was observed to laugh. (observe:注意到。是感官动词)
是动词接不定时用法。to 省略。让。。。做。