do (dū)
v., did (dĭd), done (dŭn), do·ing, does (dŭz).
v.tr.
1.
a. To perform or execute: do one's assigned task; do a series of business deals.
b. To fulfill the requirements of: did my duty at all times.
c. To carry out; commit: a crime that had been done on purpose.
2.
a. To produce, especially by creative effort: do a play on Broadway.
b. To play the part or role of in a creative production: did Elizabeth I in the film.
c. To mimic: “doing the Southern voice, improvising it inventively as he goes along” (William H. Pritchard).
3.
a. To bring about; effect: Crying won't do any good now.
b. To render; give: do equal justice to the opposing sides; do honor to one's family.
4.To put forth; exert: Do the best you can.
5.
a. To attend to in such a way as to take care of or put in order: did the bedrooms before the guests arrived.
b. To prepare for further use especially by washing: did the dishes.
6.
a. To set or style (the hair).
b. To apply cosmetics to: did her face.
7.To have as an occupation or profession: Have you decided what you will do after college?
8. To work out by studying: do a homework assignment.
9. Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb: He can play the piano, and I can do that, too.
10.
Informal.
a. To travel (a specified distance): do a mile in four minutes.
b. To make a tour of; visit: “[He] did 15 countries of Western Europe in only a few days” (R.W. Apple, Jr.).
11.
a. To be sufficient in meeting the needs of; serve: This room will do us very nicely.
b.
Informal. To serve (a prison term): did time in jail; did five years for tax fraud.
12.
Slang. To cheat; swindle: do a relative out of an inheritance.
13.
Slang. To take (drugs) illegally: “If you do drugs you are going to be in continual trouble” (Jimmy Breslin).
14.
Slang. To kill; murder.
15.
Vulgar Slang. To have sex with; bring to orgasm.
v.intr.
1. To behave or conduct oneself; act: Do as I say and you won't get into trouble.
2.
a. To get along; fare: students who do well at school.
b. To carry on; manage: I could do without your interference.
c. To make good use of something because of need: I could do with a hot bath.
3.
a. To serve a specified purpose: This coat will do for another season.
b. To be proper or fitting: Such behavior just won't do.
4. To take place; happen: What's doing in London this time of year?
5. Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb: worked as hard as everyone else did.
6. Used after another verb for emphasis: Run quickly, do!
v.aux.
1. Used with the infinitive without to in questions, negative statements, and inverted phrases: Do you understand? I did not sleep well. Little did we know what was in store for us.
2. Used as a means of emphasis: I do want to be sure.
n., pl.
dos or
do's.
1. A statement of what should be done: a list of the dos and don'ts of management.
2. Informal. An entertainment; a party: attended a big do at the embassy.
A commotion.
3. Chiefly British Slang. A swindle; a cheat.
4. Archaic. Duty; deed.
5. Slang. Fecal matter; excrement.
phrasal verbs:
do by
To behave with respect to; deal with: The children have done well by their aged parents.
do for
To care or provide for; take care of.
do in Slang.
To tire completely; exhaust: The marathon did me in.
To kill.
To ruin utterly: Huge losses on the stock market did many investors in.
do up
To adorn or dress lavishly: The children were all done up in matching outfits.
To wrap and tie (a package).
To fasten: do up the buttons on a dress.
do without
To manage despite the absence of: We had to do without a telephone on the island.
idioms: can (or
could) do without
To prefer not to experience or deal with: I could do without their complaints.
do a disappearing act
Informal.
To vanish.
do away with
To make an end of; eliminate.
To destroy; kill.
do it
Vulgar Slang.
To engage in sexual intercourse.
do (one) proud
To act or perform in a way that gives cause for pride.
do (one's) bit
To make an individual contribution toward an overall effort.
do (one's) business
Slang. To defecate. Used especially of a pet.
do (one's) own thing
Slang.
To do what one does best or finds most enjoyable: “I get paid to try cases and to do my thing on trial” (Bruce Cutler).
[Middle English don, from Old English dōn.]
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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