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do without

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do without (somebody/something)

to manage to work or act without someone or something I guess I'll just have to learn how to do without your help. They have relied on Henry for so long, I wonder how they will do without him.

Usage notes: often used in the form not do without someone or something: My driver really annoys me, but I know I can't do without him.

Related vocabulary: go without (something)

See also: without

do without

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]

See also: without

do without

v.

To manage despite the absence of something: Since we're short of money for supplies, you'll have to do without. We had to do without a telephone on the island.

See also: without