# make do and mend

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/make-do-and-mend
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Generally, to repair and reuse.

## Examples

- We have no money, so we must make do and mend.
- 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.

## Origin

From the title of a booklet issued by the UK Ministry of Information.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.