Meaning of Idiom ‘Make Do’
To make do is to manage or cope with what is available even though it is insufficient or less than usually needed or desired; to make something work with the scant resources available.
Usage Notes
Make do is usually followed by with or without.
Sentence Examples
“We’ll have to make do with a one-hundred-dollar food budget this week.”
“There’s no milk for your coffee,” said Shelly. “That’s ok, I can make do without it,” replied Seth.
“I grew up poor. We often had to make do with nothing but bread and gravy for dinner.”
“I usually like to nail this piece but I’ll have to make do with just glue.”
“I’m tired of making do with a broken oven. I’m going to buy a new one come hell or high water.”
“In my first apartment, I made do with milk crates, cinder blocks, and old wood for shelves and tables.”
Origin
Used since around 1900.
