make do

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

13 more languages

Češtinavystačit

Ελληνικάαγγαρεύωαρκούμαιτα φέρνω βόλτα

Suomikelvatapärjätätulla toimeen

हिन्दीकरवाना

Magyarbeériboldogulkihúzkijönmegél+ 2 more

Italianoarrangiarsifar funzionarefarcela

日本語お茶を濁すやりくりする悩む遣り繰り間に合わせる+ 2 more

Nederlandsgenoegen nemen

Polskiobyć sięobywać sięporadzić sobieradzić sobiewiązać koniec z końcemwysiadywaćwysiedziećzadowalać sięzadowolić się+ 6 more

Portuguêsquebrar o galhosobreviver

Русскийобойтисьобходитьсясправитьсясправляться+ 1 more

Svenskaklaratillgodo

Türkçeidare etmekyetinmek

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