make do

se débrouiller, faire avec

Se débrouiller avec ce qu’on a, faute de pouvoir obtenir tout ce dont on a besoin ou envie.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : 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.)

Synonymes : get by, manage, cope

Expressions courantes : make do somehow, make do temporarily

faire avec, utiliser en remplacement

Utiliser un objet vieux, abîmé ou prévu pour autre chose, faute de mieux.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : 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.)

Synonymes : improvise, use as a substitute

Expressions courantes : make something do, make it do

mettre en marche, actionner

Faire démarrer quelque chose ou commencer à l’utiliser.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : make something do (Turn the handle to make the machine do.)

Synonymes : activate, start, set in motion

Contraires : stop

Expressions courantes : make something do, make it do