Make do

[beachboy]

"Mr. Harrison, I'm sorry, but 48 hours is not enough for me to hand you the reports."
"Make do".
Is the answer suitable? What other answer, expression (or even slang) would convey the same meaning?

 

[Grumpy]

It all depends upon whether Mr Harrison is trying to be supportive or dismissive.

If he's supportive, then "Do your best" would be suitable.

If Mr Harrison wishes to be dismissive, then anything from "Tough", to "Man up", or even "Please don't confuse me with someone who gives a [enter the expletive of your choice] for your problems" spring to mind.

 

[beachboy]

Thanks a lot, and yes, he was trying to be dismissive.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Get it done"

 

[BobK]

'Do what/as much as you can ' and 'Do your best' allow of the possibility of partial failure. If the boss was not only 'dismissive' but also unreasonable he would say 'Find a way [to get it done]'.

b

 

[SoothingDave]

If the boss was Jean-Luc Picard, he'd say "make it so."

 

[emsr2d2]

Well, 48 hours will just have to be enough, won't it?

Fine, I suggest you start job-hunting now.

And now you only have 47 hours and 58 minutes, don't you?