Meaning & use
I'll make do
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
I will manage with the things I have, even though they are not enough or not ideal.
Grammar: Used as a complete clause; often followed by with + noun: I'll make do with this old one.
Patterns
- I'll make do
- I'll make do with something
The store was closed, so I'll make do with what's in the fridge.
I'll make do without a car until I can afford one.
Common combinations
- make do with something
- We'll make do with one room for now.
- make do without something
- You'll have to make do without a phone for a week.
- just make do
- There isn't much, but we'll just make do.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- make-do adjective
- used before a noun to mean temporary and not ideal: a make-do solution.
Commonly confused: I'll make do or make due?
I'll make do vs make due
This is a common misspelling of make do. Due means expected or owed, so make due does not have the same meaning.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Make do is followed by with when you name what you are using. 'Make do the old sofa' is missing the preposition, 'make due' is a misspelling, and 'make do of' is not the usual pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “I'll make do”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.