Make do with Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To manage in a situation by using what is available, even if it is not perfect or ideal.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is informal and describes coping or getting by in less-than-perfect conditions. It often appears as 'make do with what you have.' Not to be confused with 'make up for' or 'get by,' which have related but different meanings.
Spanish: arreglárselas con - conformarse conPortuguese (BR): se virar com - se contentar comPortuguese (PT): desenrascar-se com - contentar-se comChinese (Simplified): 将就用 - 凑合用Chinese (Traditional): 將就用 - 湊合用Hindi: से काम चलानाArabic: يكتفي بـ - يتدبّر بـBengali: যা আছে তাই দিয়ে চালানো - কোনোভাবে মেনে নেওয়াRussian: обходиться - довольствоватьсяJapanese: あるもので我慢する - あるもので済ませるVietnamese: chấp nhận dùng tạm - xoay sở vớiKorean: 있는 것으로 만족하다 - 대충 때우다Turkish: elde olanla yetinmek - idare etmekUrdu: گزارا کرنا - جو دستیاب ہے اسے استعمال کرناIndonesian: mengandalkan apa yang ada - cukup dengan
Example Sentences
We had to make do with bread and cheese for dinner.
basic
Sometimes you have to make do with less money.
basic
She will make do with her old phone until she can buy a new one.
basic
We don’t have any more chairs, so we’ll just make do with what we have.
natural
If you can’t find your tools, just make do with mine for now.
natural
During the trip, we had to make do with cold showers every morning.
natural