Meaning of “I'll make do”
When someone says "I'll make do" what does it mean?
meaning eggcorn
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
add a comment |
When someone says "I'll make do" what does it mean?
meaning eggcorn
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
15
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
When someone says "I'll make do" what does it mean?
meaning eggcorn
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
When someone says "I'll make do" what does it mean?
meaning eggcorn
meaning eggcorn
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
edited 1 hour ago
agc
2,523625
2,523625
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
asked Dec 11 '10 at 9:56
RamRam
57941021
57941021
15
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
15
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago
15
15
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
The idiom is actually “to make do”, and it means to work with what you have, to continue somehow despite an impediment or non-ideal circumstance.
It uses do in the sense of “suffice”, as in “That’ll do”.
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
add a comment |
Some supplementary information in addition to Jon Purdy's answer:
In British English (as opposed to American English) due is pronounced like few or queue so it's never confused with do.
To "make do" is a useful expression in tough times such as war or recession. [This British Library page](http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106365.html] provides an example of both historic and contemporary usage:
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative patches’
to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-knit chic
alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as darn, alter
and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated version of the book
was recently released to coincide with the economic recession,
offering similar frugal advice for 21st century families.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I always think that "make due" would make almost more sense (I realize the idiom is actually "make do"). "Making due" could imply accomplishing something owed/expected despite obstacles, which is really the sense of the phrase.
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The idiom is actually “to make do”, and it means to work with what you have, to continue somehow despite an impediment or non-ideal circumstance.
It uses do in the sense of “suffice”, as in “That’ll do”.
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
add a comment |
The idiom is actually “to make do”, and it means to work with what you have, to continue somehow despite an impediment or non-ideal circumstance.
It uses do in the sense of “suffice”, as in “That’ll do”.
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
add a comment |
The idiom is actually “to make do”, and it means to work with what you have, to continue somehow despite an impediment or non-ideal circumstance.
It uses do in the sense of “suffice”, as in “That’ll do”.
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
The idiom is actually “to make do”, and it means to work with what you have, to continue somehow despite an impediment or non-ideal circumstance.
It uses do in the sense of “suffice”, as in “That’ll do”.
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
edited Feb 24 '18 at 3:22
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
answered Dec 11 '10 at 10:01
Jon PurdyJon Purdy
28k786134
28k786134
add a comment |
add a comment |
Some supplementary information in addition to Jon Purdy's answer:
In British English (as opposed to American English) due is pronounced like few or queue so it's never confused with do.
To "make do" is a useful expression in tough times such as war or recession. [This British Library page](http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106365.html] provides an example of both historic and contemporary usage:
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative patches’
to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-knit chic
alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as darn, alter
and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated version of the book
was recently released to coincide with the economic recession,
offering similar frugal advice for 21st century families.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Some supplementary information in addition to Jon Purdy's answer:
In British English (as opposed to American English) due is pronounced like few or queue so it's never confused with do.
To "make do" is a useful expression in tough times such as war or recession. [This British Library page](http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106365.html] provides an example of both historic and contemporary usage:
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative patches’
to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-knit chic
alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as darn, alter
and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated version of the book
was recently released to coincide with the economic recession,
offering similar frugal advice for 21st century families.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Some supplementary information in addition to Jon Purdy's answer:
In British English (as opposed to American English) due is pronounced like few or queue so it's never confused with do.
To "make do" is a useful expression in tough times such as war or recession. [This British Library page](http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106365.html] provides an example of both historic and contemporary usage:
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative patches’
to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-knit chic
alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as darn, alter
and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated version of the book
was recently released to coincide with the economic recession,
offering similar frugal advice for 21st century families.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Some supplementary information in addition to Jon Purdy's answer:
In British English (as opposed to American English) due is pronounced like few or queue so it's never confused with do.
To "make do" is a useful expression in tough times such as war or recession. [This British Library page](http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106365.html] provides an example of both historic and contemporary usage:
Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII. It was intended to provide
housewives with useful tips on how to be both frugal and stylish in
times of harsh rationing. With its thrifty design ideas and advice on
reusing old clothing, the pamphlet was an indispensable guide for
households. Readers were advised to create pretty ‘decorative patches’
to cover holes in warn garments; unpick old jumpers to re-knit chic
alternatives; turn men’s clothes into women’s; as well as darn, alter
and protect against the ‘moth menace’. An updated version of the book
was recently released to coincide with the economic recession,
offering similar frugal advice for 21st century families.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
edited 11 mins ago
Chappo
2,61841225
2,61841225
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
answered 3 hours ago
user330997user330997
111
111
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user330997 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
You have obviously no idea of all the different English dialects. The link is largely out of context. make do appeared earlier than that, around turn of the century.
– vectory
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I always think that "make due" would make almost more sense (I realize the idiom is actually "make do"). "Making due" could imply accomplishing something owed/expected despite obstacles, which is really the sense of the phrase.
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
add a comment |
I always think that "make due" would make almost more sense (I realize the idiom is actually "make do"). "Making due" could imply accomplishing something owed/expected despite obstacles, which is really the sense of the phrase.
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
add a comment |
I always think that "make due" would make almost more sense (I realize the idiom is actually "make do"). "Making due" could imply accomplishing something owed/expected despite obstacles, which is really the sense of the phrase.
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
I always think that "make due" would make almost more sense (I realize the idiom is actually "make do"). "Making due" could imply accomplishing something owed/expected despite obstacles, which is really the sense of the phrase.
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
answered Jan 14 '16 at 18:37
Benjamin RobinsonBenjamin Robinson
109
109
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
add a comment |
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
The sense of the idiom is "make X do the job that (the more difficult/rare/expensive) Y would do if there were no limitations.
– Hot Licks
3 mins ago
add a comment |
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15
It means someone doesn't know how to spell "do". Opposite of the problem I saw yesterday on a sign at a gas station: "Do to the cold weather the car wash is closed."
– Hot Licks
Jan 14 '16 at 18:52
@Hot Licks. Not a very convincing stance, that people wouildn't know how to spell do. If that's supposed to be comical, imagine how funny I find that make due misspelled make do in 90% of instances.
– vectory
2 hours ago