We have no money, so we must make do and mend.
make do and mend
idiomGenerally, to repair and reuse.
Origin
disputed originFrom the title of a booklet issued by the UK Ministry of Information.
Instead of buying a new chair, we decided to make do and mend the broken leg.
During the period of severe economic scarcity, families were encouraged to make do and mend their worn clothing rather than purchasing new items.
- 01
cannot make it
Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.
- 02
doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
- 03
enough to make a cat laugh
Very outlandish or outrageous.
- 04
enough to make the angels weep
Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.
- 05
fine feathers make fine birds
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
- 06
hell mend someone
Expressing exasperation at someone whose behavior is likely to result in trouble but who will not heed warnings.
- 07
it takes all kinds to make a world
Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.
- 08
it takes two to make a quarrel
It takes two or more people to cause a quarrel; one cannot blame an argument entirely on the other side.