to do by - Glite Dictionary

Examples

The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf.

The Gospel of John (2003)
I came here to get some quiet, not to be told what to do by some bossy boss lady.

Growth (2010)
Because of you, I get my Astronomy homework done by NASA.

Back to School (1986)
Here, the assessment may be done by the teacher or cooperatively with learner input.

Academic text (2000)
It must be done by new laws, by the Parliamentary system, by intellectual persuasion.

Basement Jack (2010)
She tries to do by her employees fairly, ensuring they are treated with respect.
It's important to do by your friends as you would like them to do by you.
He always aims to do by his clients with honesty and integrity.

Synonyms

to handle

vsto do by

∞ 2.1

Deal with a task, person, or situation

focuses on general dealing rather than managing tasks or responsibility

to treat

vsto do by

∞ 1.0

To behave toward someone in a certain way

has identical meaning but is the more common everyday form

to do right by

vsto do by

40 5.4

Treat someone fairly and give them support

is general dealing not limited to fairness or support

to do well by

vsto do by

1 5.0

Treat someone with respect and kindness

is neutral general action rather than showing positive care

Antonyms

neglect

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

to mistreat

63 2.9

To be cruel to people or animals

How Fair

to do well by

1 5.0

to support

753 1.4

to do by

82 6.7

to mistreat

63 2.9

to abuse

NSFW

344 3.7

Surface Forms

do by infinitive

doing by present participle

does by third person singular

did by past

done by past participle

Morphology

do + by

The verb 'do' (to act) plus the preposition 'by' can suggest acting toward or with respect to someone, so a learner might infer a general sense of 'act toward someone.' However, the specific sense 'treat or deal with someone in a particular way' is a conventionalized use of the combination and relies on a fixed verb–preposition pattern that is not fully predictable from the parts, making it only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Do by may come from the simple picture of do (an action) done by someone toward another person, like an act that reaches them and shows how they are treated. That's why do by means 'to treat or deal with someone in a particular way'.