do without

British  

verb

1. to forgo; manage without

   I can't do without cigarettes

2. not to require (uncalled-for comments or advice)

   we can do without your criticisms thank you

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do without Idioms  

1. Manage in spite of being without something. For example, They will just have to do without a vacation this year, or There was no telephone in the cabin, but we soon learned to do without. [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

do without

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you," Messi wrote on social media.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

"It's an experience, you know, I would be happy to do without it, but everybody's been very kind here, very good, so we have to be thankful."

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

They have to do without security or pay for it themselves, as Mr. Bolton has.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

In recent weeks, the stock market has had to make do without momentum from memory and other highflying chip stocks that had driven lofty first-half gains.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026

“I can’t get any lobsters, so you will have to do without salad today,” said Mr. March, coming in half an hour later, with an expression of placid despair.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• endure
• forgo