Meaning of make do | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To survive, get by (with), or use whatever is available (due to lack of resources).
   idiomatic, informal, intransitive
2. To put into action.
   informal, transitive
3. To use for one's purpose something worn, defective, or intended for another purpose.
   informal, transitive

Equivalents

Examples

“There is barely enough money, so we will have to make do with what we have.”

“Pep Guardiola’s team will have to make do with the Premier League title whereas Liverpool will go into Friday’s draw because over the two legs they were more clinical during their spells of superiority.”

“Make the movie do! (Put on the movie!)”

“Brandon’s makin’ the grill do so we can get to eatin’.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

CEFR level