Everyday English Expressions with DO

Everyday English Expressions with DO

Hi English learners! Here we are again with a new lesson. I’m sure you’ll find it useful because we will look at 13 everyday English expressions with DO. These are those small phrases that you hear all the time but you may or may not know how to use or what they exactly mean. Here is the list:

• Do your best
• That does it
• That will do
• Do for a living
• Would do well to do it
• Do as you are told
• Have to do with something
• It won’t do
• Nothing doing
• Done with it
• What’s done is done
• Do wonders for
• Do more harm than good

Do your best

Meaning: to do something as well as you possibly can.

• Don’t let anything distract you while you’re writing. Just do your best and the results will follow through.
• We can’t promise you a miracle but we’ll do our best to help you solve your legal problem.

That does it!

Meaning: use it when you are angry to tell someone that you won’t tolerate their behaviour.

• That does it! I’m fed up with your sarcastic remarks and I won’t tolerate them any longer. 
• I don’t want to listen to you. That does it. I’m leaving!

That will do

Meaning: something is enough, we don’t need or want anymore.

• Do you want more soup? No, thanks, that’ll do.
• Thanks for your answers related to the night of the crime. That will do. We’ll call you if we have any more questions.

Do for a living

Meaning: the job you do to make money to pay your bills and food. 

• “What do you do for a living?” “I’m a taxi driver.”
• I am a BBC blogger but that’s not what I do for a living. 

Would do well to 

Meaning: used as advice to say that someone would benefit from doing something.

• You would do well to look at the prices on the Internet. I’m sure you’ll find a cheaper computer.
• Miriam would do well to cut on sugar and be more active if she wants to lose weight.

Do as you are told

Meaning: used to tell someone to obey your orders.

• Stop complaining and do as you are told.
• Just do as you are told and don’t worry about anything.

Have to do with something

 Meaning: to be connected or related to something.

• I think your sleeplessness has to do with too much stress at work and caffeine.
• Global warming has to do with greenhouse gasses which are released into the atmosphere when people burn fossil fuels.

It won’t do

Meaning: used to say that someone’s behaviour is not appropriate and therefore can’t be allowed or supported.

• It won’t do to say that you didn’t do your homework because you were tired. You have to make a better excuse.
• If you want to be street-wise, that bag won’t do much against pickpockets on public transport.

Nothing doing

Meaning: used to refuse a request.

• Celia asked her mother to babysit for her but she said “Nothing doing. I’ve got work to do.”
• “Could you lend me some money?” “Nothing doing.”

Done with it

Meaning: an informal expression used to say that you’ve finished dealing with someone or something.

• Once you finish cooking, clean the kitchen and have done with it
• Sara decided to break up with her boyfriend and be done with it.

What’s done is done

Meaning: something which was done cannot be changed, let bygones be bygones.

• You broke the car and there is nothing we can do about it. What’s done is done.
• There is no use thinking about it anymore. What’s done is done. If you’ve learned your lesson, you’ll never let that happen again.

Do wonders for

Meaning: when someone or something can provide improvement.

• A little bit of yoga here and there can do wonders for your mind and body.
• David is an experienced salesman who can do wonders for our team.

Do more harm than good

Meaning: used to say that something can make the existing problem even worse.

• Did you know that taking medications without a doctor’s approval can sometimes do more harm than good?
• We shouldn’t interfere with their problems as it can do more harm than good. 

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