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Glite Dictionary
to make do

to make do

49 3.7
Use what you have even if it is not enough
  • phrasal verb
  • /meɪk du/
translation icon : arreglárselas
  • You hope for the best, then make do with what you get.
  • make do with resources

And, you know, it'll just have to make do for now.

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Examples

  • Now if you can't find one, that's OK, just make do with what you have.

  • Meantime, you make do like everybody else.

    Platoon (1986)

  • And we have to make do with that as much as we can.

  • I enjoy making do with the least amount possible.

  • But you just have to make do.

    Boys on the Side (1995)

  • The rest of the time, the population has to make do however it can.

    Academic text (1997)

  • So I'm just making do with what I have.

  • Of course, we'll have to make do with a few compromises.

    Finding Neverland (2004)

  • Until then, you're gonna have to make do.

    Paper Champions (2020)

  • This project might not be perfect, but we'll just have to make do with what we have.

Synonyms

to manage
vsto make do
∞ 3.2

To do something difficult, often with little help

is about making do with available but imperfect things
to survive
vsto make do
425 2.7

Manage to live on very little money

is about making do with imperfect supplies, not only staying alive
to cope
vsto make do
272 2.9

To deal with problems and difficult situations

focuses on using what exists even when not enough
to get by
vsto make do
121 3.1

Manage to live with little money or help

means coping with shortages of things, not only keeping life going
to make ends meet
vsto make do
  • Informal
56 3.5

To live on a small amount of money

focuses on using things you have rather than only balancing money
to make out
vsto make do
  • Informal
20 3.7

To manage or get by during a difficult time

emphasizes using what is available rather than success alone
to play the hand one is dealt
vsto make do
1 6.7

To accept what you cannot change and make the best of it

concerns practical use of available items rather than general acceptance

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Well

to thrive
241 3.2
to manage
239 2.3
to cope
272 2.9
to make do
49 3.7
to get by
121 3.1

Surface Forms

make do infinitive
made do past
made do past participle
making do present participle
makes do third person singular

Morphology

make + do

The basic sense is partly recoverable because 'do' can mean 'manage' and 'make' adds a causative/constructive nuance, so a learner who knows both verbs can get a rough idea. However, the exact idiomatic pattern 'make do (with)' and its pragmatic sense of coping with insufficient resources is not fully predictable from the parts, so prior exposure helps.

Etymology

Make do comes from the simple image of make and do: you make something that will do the job, a quick or small thing that is just good enough. So it means 'to manage' with what you have.