1 B1 neutral
To manage or function in the absence of something necessary or desired.
"We ran out of sugar, so we'll have to do without in the morning."
inseparable
do without
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To manage or survive without something that is absent or unavailable.
In plain English
To be okay without having something, even if you would prefer to have it.
What does "do without" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To prefer not to have something or someone, often said sarcastically.
"I could really do without all this extra stress right now."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To carry out (do) tasks in the absence of (without) something.
Actually means
To be okay without having something, even if you would prefer to have it.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. Often used in expressions of resilience ('we'll just have to do without') or ironic understatement. Can also be used sarcastically ('I could do without his constant complaints').
Words that pair with "do without"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car coffee help sleep luxury central heating
How to conjugate "do without"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
do without
I/you/we/they
3rd person
does without
he/she/it
Past simple
did without
yesterday
Past participle
done without
have + pp
-ing form
doing without
continuous
Hear "do without" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "do without" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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