Can't do anything with Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkænt/ /ˈdu/ /ˈɛniˌθɪŋ/ /ˈwɪð/, /ˈwɪθ/, /wɪð/, /wɪθ

KANT doo EN-ee-thing with

UK

kɑːnt/ /dʉː/ /ˈɛnɪθˌɪŋ/ /wˈɪð

KAHNT doo EN-ee-thing with

Definition

This phrase means you are unable to use, help, or solve something or someone, often because it is broken, useless, or uncooperative.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, often negative expression used for objects, tools, ideas, or people when they are unhelpful or unusable. Common with 'with this', 'with him', or 'with that'. Does not mean you literally lack the physical ability, but nothing can be done in the situation.

• Spanish: no poder hacer nada con - no se puede hacer nada con
• Portuguese (BR): não dá para fazer nada com - não consigo fazer nada com
• Portuguese (PT): não se pode fazer nada com - não consigo fazer nada com
• Chinese (Simplified): 无法处理 - 对……无能为力
• Chinese (Traditional): 無法處理 - 對……無能為力
• Hindi: इसके साथ कुछ नहीं कर सकते - इससे कुछ नहीं हो सकता
• Arabic: لا يمكن فعل أي شيء بـ - لا أستطيع فعل شيء بـ
• Bengali: কিছুই করা যায় না - কাজে আসে না
• Russian: ничего не могу сделать с - не могу ничего сделать с
• Japanese: どうにもできない - どうしようもない
• Vietnamese: không làm được gì với - không thể làm gì với
• Korean: 아무 것도 할 수 없다 - 쓸모없다
• Turkish: hiçbir şey yapamamak - işe yaramamak
• Urdu: کچھ نہیں کیا جا سکتا
• Indonesian: tidak bisa melakukan apa-apa dengan - tidak bisa apa-apa dengan

Example Sentences

This remote is broken. I can't do anything with it.

basic

If you don't give me the password, I can't do anything with your computer.

basic

This old phone is so slow, I can't do anything with it anymore.

basic

Honestly, I can't do anything with that kind of attitude.

natural

They gave me a blank document—I can't do anything with this.

natural

Sorry, your proposal just isn't clear—I can't do anything with it like this.

natural