make do
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also make-do
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English [edit]
Verb [edit]
make do (third-person singular simple present makes do, present participle making do, simple past and past participle made do)
- (intransitive, idiomatic, informal) to survive, get by with, or use whatever is available (due to lack of resources)
- There is barely enough money, so we will have to make do with what we have.
- (transitive, informal) to put into action
- Make the movie do! (Put on the movie!)
- Brandon’s makin’ the grill do so we can get to eatin’.
- (transitive, informal) To use for one's purpose something worn, defective, or intended for another purpose.
- 1902, Lina Beard; Adelia Belle Beard, What a girl can make and do: new ideas for work and play[1], page 7:
- A poor screw-driver is one of the most exasperating of poor tools, and a trial to one's patience and temper; besides, it is of little use attempting to "make it do," for it seldom will do.
- 1920, George F. Johnson, “How Do You Suppose We Make a Success of Our Business?”, American review of shoes and leather, volume 35-38:
- It is not the same hide but we make it do. You work harder to make it into good leather and harder to make it into good shoes, and we get by.
- 2005, Trevanian, The crazyladies of Pearl Street, page 65:
- She had dozens of ways to make something ‘do’ for another week or month. Skillful with a needle, she could darn and re- darn our socks without making the heel or toe uncomfortably thick
- 1902, Lina Beard; Adelia Belle Beard, What a girl can make and do: new ideas for work and play[1], page 7:
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
to get by (with)
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