make do

arreglárselas, apañárselas

Arreglárselas con lo que se tiene porque no se consigue todo lo necesario o deseado.

En inglés sencillo: To manage with what you have because you cannot get everything you need or want.

• We can make do with less.
• They made do without a car for years.
• Can you make do with what is in the fridge?

Cómo se usa: make do with something (We will have to make do with the food we have.); make do without something (They made do without electricity for two days.)

Sinónimos: get by, manage, cope

Expresiones frecuentes: make do somehow, make do temporarily

apañarse con, usar como sustituto

Usar algo viejo, dañado o pensado para otro fin porque no hay una opción mejor.

En inglés sencillo: To use something old, damaged, or meant for another job because a better thing is unavailable.

• We made an old box do as a chair.
• She made do with a cracked cup.
• Could you make that worn blanket do for tonight?

Cómo se usa: make something do as something (We made an old crate do as a table.); make do with something (She made do with a bent spoon instead of a proper tool.)

Sinónimos: improvise, use as a substitute

Expresiones frecuentes: make something do, make it do

poner en marcha, activar

Hacer que algo empiece a funcionar o a utilizarse.

En inglés sencillo: To cause something to start working or being used.

• Turn the switch to make it do.
• He made the old projector do at last.
• Can you make this machine do again?

Cómo se usa: make something do (Turn the handle to make the machine do.)

Sinónimos: activate, start, set in motion

Antónimos: stop

Expresiones frecuentes: make something do, make it do