Learn English Phrasal Verbs:Do
Do phrasal verbs are a smaller, practical set: fastening or decorating (do up), managing without something, and getting rid of a rule or habit.
do up
renovate
They decided to do up their old house instead of buying a new one.
They decided to renovate their old house instead of buying a new one.
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do up
fasten
Please do up your seatbelt before the car starts moving.
Please fasten your seatbelt before the car starts moving.
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do up
dress smartly
She did herself up for the interview.
She dressed smartly for the interview.
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do without
manage without
I think I can do without coffee for a day.
I think I can manage without coffee for a day.
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do away with
abolish
The school is planning to do away with outdated teaching methods.
The school is planning to abolish outdated teaching methods.
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do over
do again
The teacher asked me to do the essay over because it was too short.
The teacher asked me to do the essay again because it was too short.
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do in
wear out
That long meeting really did me in.
That long meeting really wore me out.
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do with
could use
I could do with a short break before the next class.
I could use a short break before the next class.
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do down
belittle
Don’t do yourself down — the presentation was clear.
Don’t belittle yourself — the presentation was clear.
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do for
be enough for
This sandwich will do for lunch if we’re short on time.
This sandwich will be enough for lunch if we’re short on time.
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About this set
Use them when put and make do not fit — do up a coat is not the same as put on a coat.
Do without and do away with are the pair to keep separate: one means manage without, the other means abolish.
Usage notes
- do up. Separable. Do up a coat means fasten it. Do up a flat means decorate or renovate it. The object tells you which one.
- do without. Inseparable. Do without sugar means manage if it is not there. It does not mean throw the sugar away.
- do away with. Three-word and inseparable. Do away with a rule means abolish it. Informal, but common in news and workplace talk.
- do over. Mostly American English for do again. British speakers more often say do it again or start over.
Common questions
What is the difference between do without and do away with?
Do without means you still need the thing but it is not available, so you manage. Do away with means you remove the thing on purpose — a rule, a product, a habit.
Does do up always mean decorate?
No. Do up your coat is fasten. Do up the kitchen is renovate. If the object is clothing or a zip, it is fasten. If the object is a room or house, it is decorate or repair.