make-do
(ˌmeɪkˈduː)
[f. to make do: see make v.1 53 f.]
A makeshift; a temporary expedient. Also attrib. or quasi-adj., characterized by makeshift methods. So make-do-and-mend (cf. make v.1 53 f).
| 1895 Dialect Notes I. 372 These 'ere make-dos are no 'count. 1916 Kipling Tales of ‘Trade’ 13 The full tale of their improvisations and ‘make-do's’ will probably never come to light. 1923 Daily Mail 12 Feb. 4 When..prices steadily mounted to their peak, thousands of careful housewives adopted what was known as a ‘make-do’ policy. 1944 in R. W. Zandvoort et al. Wartime English (1957) 151 This garment is being made in the Make-do-and-Mend Department of the store from an old costume. 1948 Times 19 Aug. 5/2 Large schemes..must be ruled out; make do and mend must take their place. 1961 L. Mumford City in Hist. xiv. 420 The spirit of make-shift and make-do too often prevailed. |