Collocation and idioms with "do" in English with examples and meanings. You can form sentences "as a verb and noun" or use them as "idioms."
Collocation and Idioms with "DO"
Here are some collocation and idioms with "do" with meaning and examples:
1. Do a course: Literally, to attend a course.
- I want to do a course in Math.
2. Do a deal: Literally, to make a deal.
- The unions are ready to do a deal over pay.
3. Do a favour: Literally, to do a favour.
- Couldn’t you do a favour and leave me alone?
4. Do a good/great/terrible job: Literally, to do a good/great/terrible job.
- He may be able to do a good job, but I doubt it.
5. Do a report: Literally, to make a report.
- Could you do a report for me?
6. Do anything/something/everything: Literally, to Do anything/something/everything
- You can't do everything by yourself – let me help you.
7. Do badly: Literally, to be bad.
- Children do badly at school for a variety of reasons.
8. Do better: Literally, to be better.
- We'll do better next time, I'm sure.
9. Do business: Literally, to do business.
- It's been a pleasure to do business with you.
10. Do the crossword: Literally, to solve crossword puzzles.
- I like to sit down and do the crossword.
11. Do damage: Literally, to do harm.
- Did the flood do much damage?
12. Do exercise: Literally, to do exercises.
- I really enjoy doing exercise every day.
13. Do experiments: Literally, to do experiments.
- In my business, we have to do experiments every day.
14. Do good: Literally, to do something well.
- If I do good next year, I can come out then.
15. Do gymnastics: Literally, to do gymnastics.
- We don't do gymnastics at school.
16. Do harm: Literally, to hurt.
- Drugs can do harm to you.
17. Do homework: Literally, to do your homework.
- I like to do homework.
See: The Use of "Do You Want me to" in English
18. Do (one) a favour
A: To help someone else, typically at their request. Sometimes used sarcastically.
- Hey, do me a favor and take these bags into the kitchen while I get the others from the car.
B: A request for someone to stop doing something bothersome or annoying.
- Can you please do me a favor and take your loud music somewhere else? I'm trying to sleep!
C: A response to a statement that the speaker finds ridiculous or stupid. ("Favor" is usually spelled "favour" in British and Australian English.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia.
- "Katie seems nice." "Oh, do me a favour—she's one of the cattiest girls in school!"
19. Do something right: Literally, to do something right.
- I did something right at work.
20. Do sums: Literally, to do the math.
- Calculators were forbidden until students could do sums in their heads.
21. Do (all) the running: To be an influential person who can manage things and get them done.
- You can always count on Rebecca to do the running and make sure that all of these events happen perfectly.
22. Do (one or oneself) proud
A: To do something well and cause one or oneself to feel pride as a result.
- You really directed a fantastic play, Janet—you've done yourself proud!
B: To be very kind, magnanimous, or conscientious when hosting one.
- Oh, I had a wonderful stay at Anna's house—she was a very attentive host and really did me proud.
23. Do (one) a kindness: To do a favor or something nice for one.
- Hey, do me a kindness and take these bags into the kitchen while I get the others from the car.
24. Do (one) a service: To help or aid one.
- Sharon did me a service by getting that jammed paper out of the printer.
24. Do (one) an honor: To do something that makes one feel very proud.
- You've done me an honor by choosing me as your best man. It means a lot to me.
25. Do (one) in the eye: To foil, stymie, or embarrass one.
- I don't trust that guy after he did me in the eye and stole that opportunity from me.
26. Do (one) the courtesy of (doing something): To be considerate enough to do a particular thing.
- Would you at least do me the courtesy of not interrupting me?
27. Do (one's) block: To become extremely and uncontrollably angry; to lose one's temper. Primarily heard in Australia.
- Her words just infuriated me so much that I did my block in the middle of the restaurant.
28. Do (one's) damnedest: To put forth the maximum amount of energy or effort toward some task or goal.
- Money is a little tight at the moment, but I'll do my damnedest to be there for your wedding.
28. Do (one's) dash: To do something to the fullest extent that one can. Primarily heard in Australia.
- Whew, I've done my dash! Can we just rest for a minute?
29. Do (one's) heart good: To please one, especially by placing them in a more positive mental or emotional state; to ease one's mind.
- Spending time outdoors just does my heart good.
30. Do (oneself or someone) an injustice: To do something that hinders or is detrimental to one.
- You're doing your kids an injustice by catering to their every whim—they need to learn to be independent.
31. Do (something) blindfolded: To do something with very little or no difficulty, due to knowing it so well; to complete or accomplish something in a relaxed, carefree, or effortless manner since one is so familiar with it.
- It took me a little while to get used to this job, but now I could do it blindfolded!
32. Do a job on (someone or something)
A: To have a harmful impact on someone or something.
- Considering her pessimism toward marriage, her last break-up must have really done a job on her.
B: Of a domesticated animal (typically a pet), to defecate on something.
- My cat used to always use her litter box, but she regularly does a job on the floor, unfortunately.
C: To severely rebuke someone.
- Man, the boss really did a job on me for messing up that client's account.
D: To physically assault someone.
- The mafia leader sent a couple of goons to do a job on the witness so that she wouldn't testify in court.
33. Do a number on (someone or something)
A: To hurt or harm someone or something.
- Considering her pessimism toward marriage, her last break-up must have really done a number on her.
B: To urinate or defecate on something.
- My cat used to always use her litter box, but she regularly does a number on the floor, unfortunately.
34. Do a 180
A: Literally, to begin moving in the opposite direction. (If one physically turns 180 degrees, one will then be facing the opposite direction.)
- I was going to go to the park, but when I saw those dark clouds roll in, I did a 180 and headed back home.
B: To make a big change in one's position, opinion, lifestyle, etc.
- "Can you believe that Sam quit his job at the firm?" "No, he really did a 180 on being a paralegal!"
35. Do a roaring trade: To sell something very successfully.
- It's been so hot lately that we've done a roaring trade in selling cold drinks.
36. Do fine for (someone): To treat or suit one in a certain manner.
- The train does just fine for me because I can't afford a car at the moment.
37. Do an about-face: To suddenly and completely turn or change one's direction. This phrase can describe one's physical movement or a change in concept.
- She did an about-face and walked back up the steps once she saw that the subway wasn't running.
38. Do a bit
A: To do only a small amount of something.
- I was only able to do a bit of cleaning before your mother called—that's why the dirty dishes are still on the table.
B: To tell a joke or perform a short comic routine, especially when done in a satirically serious or sincere manner.
- The comic has such a dry sense of humor that it can sometimes be hard to tell when he's doing a bit or actually being serious.
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