Word family noun deed ≠ misdeed do doing adjective done overdone undone verb do outdo overdo redo undo
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdodo1 /duː/ ●●● S1 W1 auxiliary verb (past tense did /dɪd/, past participle done /dʌn/, third person singular does /dəz; strong dʌz/) 1 IN QUESTIONS/NEGATIVES a) XXused with another verb to form questions or negatives Do you like bananas? I don’t feel like going out tonight. Ian didn’t answer. Where do you live? Doesn’t Rosie look wonderful? Don’t listen to her! b) XX spoken used to form question tags (=short questions that you add to the end of statements) You know Tony, don’t you? She didn’t understand, did she?2 used instead of repeating a verb that has already been used ‘Will Kay come?’ ‘She may do.’ So now you know as much as I do. ‘You forgot all about it.’ ‘No, I didn’t.’ ‘I want to go home.’ ‘So do I.’ I didn’t believe the story and neither did he.3 FOR EMPHASISEMPHASIZEused to emphasize the main verb in a sentence Do be careful. You do look nice in that hat. I do think she’s behaved badly. ‘You should have warned me.’ ‘But I did warn you.’ He owns, or did own (=emphasizing past tense), a yacht.4 IN POLITE REQUESTSOFFER spoken used when politely offering someone something Do have another sandwich.dodo2 ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense did, past participle done, third person singular does) 1 action/activityACTIVITY/JOB [transitive]DO to perform an action or activity Have you done your homework yet? You need to do more exercise. It’s a pleasure doing business with you. I didn’t know what to do. All he does is sit in front of the television all day.do something/nothing/anything etc We should do something to help him. It all happened so quickly that I couldn’t do anything about it. bored teenagers with nothing to dodo the laundry/ironing/dishes etc It’s your turn to do the dishes.RegisterIn written English, people often use the verb act rather than the phrase do something, as it sounds more formal:The government needs to act to help these people.2 succeedSUCCEED/FAIL [intransitive]DO WELL used to ask or talk about how successful someone is at somethingdo well/badly Students are under considerable pressure to do well.how somebody/something is doing (with/in something) You should get promoted after about a year, depending on how you’re doing. How’s he doing in trying to give up smoking?3 have an effect [transitive]EFFECT/INFLUENCE to have a particular effect on something or someone The scandal will do serious damage to his reputation. This will do nothing for (=will not improve) Jamie’s confidence. The colour does nothing for her (=does not improve her appearance). Getting the job has done a lot for (=had a good effect on) her self-esteem. A week in the countryside will do you good (=make you feel better). Exercise can do wonders for (=have a very good effect on) body, mind, and spirit.4 jobBOJOB/WORK [transitive] to have a particular job What do you want to do after you leave school? What do you do for a living (=as your job)? She’s very good at what she does.5 enough/acceptable [intransitive, transitive not in progressive]GOOD ENOUGH used to say that something will be enough or be acceptable We don’t have a lot of wine for the party, but it should just about do. I can’t find my black shoes so these will have to do. A few sandwiches will do me for lunch. It won’t do (=it is not acceptable) to say that the situation couldn’t have been avoided. 6 → what somebody will do for something7 → what is somebody/something doing?8 → do your/somebody’s hair/nails/make-up etc9 spend timeSPEND TIME [transitive] informalSPEND TIME to spend a period of time doing something She did a year backpacking around the world. Oh yes, I certainly did my time in the army (=spent time in the army).10 studySTUDY [transitive] British EnglishSE to study a particular subject in a school or university I did French for five years.► see thesaurus at study11 cookFOOD [transitive]DFC to cook a particular type of food I was thinking of doing a casserole tonight.► see thesaurus at cook12 → do 10 miles/20 kms etc13 provide a serviceA SERVICE [transitive]DEAL WITH to provide a particular service or sell a particular product They do interior and exterior design. We don’t do food after two o'clock.14 perform a play [transitive] to perform a particular play, show etc We did ‘Guys and Dolls’ last year. 15 decorate [transitive] to paint or decorate a room, house etc How are you going to do your living room?16 behave [intransitive] to behave in a particular way In the evenings students are free to do as they please (=do what they want). I wish you’d do as you’re told (=do what you are told to do)!17 → somebody doesn’t do nice/funny/sensible etc18 copy behaviourCOPY [transitive]COPY to copy someone’s behaviour or the way they talk, especially in order to entertain people He does a brilliant George Bush (=copies him in a very funny way).19 → do lunch/do a movie etc20 drugs [transitive] informal to use an illegal drug He says he’s never done hard drugs in his life.21 visitVISIT [transitive]DLT to visit a particular place, especially as a tourist Let’s do the Eiffel Tower today. 22 → that’ll do!23 → that does it!24 → that should do it25 → do it26 → somebody would do well to do something27 punishPUNISH [transitive]PUNISH British English spoken to punish or attack someone → be/get done at done2(8)28 deceive [transitive] British English informal to deceive or trick someone → be done at done2(7)29 → what’s doing ...?30 → do or die31 → how (are) you doing?32 → what can I do you for?33 → do well by somebody34 → do one → doing, done2, → do your bit at bit2(8), → how do you do at how(11), → nothing doing at nothing1(14), → do somebody proud at proud(5), → do something to death at death(4), → can-doCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: to perform an action or activitydo + NOUNdo a job/taskOn Saturdays I usually do a few jobs around the house.do some/any/ no etc workShe was feeling too tired to do any work.do the shopping/cleaning/ironing/cooking etcWho does the cooking in your family?do the housework (=jobs in your home such as cleaning, washing clothes etc)I’ve been doing the housework all day.do the dishes (also do the washing-up British English) (=wash the plates after a meal)Will anyone help me do the washing-up?do the laundry (also do the washing British English) (=wash dirty clothes)Ellie was doing the washing.do your homeworkMy parents don’t let me go out unless I’ve done my homework.do a calculation/sum (=use numbers to find out a figure, price etc)I did a quick calculation on a piece of paper.do business (=buy and sell goods, or provide services)The company does a lot of business in China.do something/nothing/anythingHe lay on the sofa and did nothing all day. THESAURUSdo to do something – used in the following phrases: do your work/homework etcIt usually takes me a couple of hours to do my homework. | do the shopping/cooking/washing etcShe’s gone to the supermarket to do the shopping. | do a test/experiment/some researchThe doctor did some tests. Fraser spent some time in Egypt doing some archaeological research.Scientists are doing research on two types of vaccine. | do a courseHave you decided which course you want to do at university?make to do something – used in the following phrases: make a speechThe prince made a short speech. | make a comment/suggestion/jokeCan I make a suggestion? | make a decisionThe committee will meet to make their final decision. | make a mistakeI think someone has made a mistake.give to do something – used in the following phrases: give a talk/speech/lectureThey’ve asked him to give a talk. | give a performanceThe band gave a brilliant performance.take to do something – used in the following phrases: take a test/examKate’s taking her driving test tomorrow. | take a bath/showerI think I’ll go and take a shower. | take a walkNormally, he took a walk in the evenings.commit to do something that is a crime, especially a serious crime: commit a crimeThe crime was committed in the early hours of the morning. | commit a robbery/murder etcDixon later admitted committing the robbery.carry out something to do something – used in the following phrases: carry out your workThe violence is making it difficult for firefighters to carry out their work. | carry out a task/dutyHe still managed to carry out his duties. | carry out a survey/test/some researchThe hospital carries out research into skin diseases. | carry out an operationThe operation was carried out at a hospital in Paris. | carry out a threat/promiseThey didn’t carry out their threat to kill the hostages. | carry out somebody’s orders/instructions/wishesI’m sure I can rely on you to carry out my instructions.perform to do something. Perform is more formal than carry out, and is used in the following phrases: perform a task/dutyThe job mostly involves performing administrative tasks. | perform an operationA team of surgeons performed the operation.conduct to do something – used in the following phrases: conduct a survey/study/experimentThey conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 people living in the area. | conduct an inquiry/investigationThe police are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. | conduct an interviewKnowing how to conduct a successful interview is a skill. | conduct a campaignPeople were unimpressed by the way in which the election campaign was conducted.go about something to do your work or the things that you usually do, especially when something serious has happened: go about your work/businessThe next day she went about her business as if nothing had happened.get on with something spoken especially British English to start doing something that you should have started already or to continue doing something that you stopped doing for a short timeI need to get on with my homework.be up to something spoken to be doing something that you think is probably bad, although you do not know exactly what it isI’m sure they’re up to something.What’s Jake up to? He’s been upstairs in his room all day. COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: to have a particular effect on something or someonedo + NOUNdo some/any/no good (=improve a situation)It might do some good if you talk to him about the problem.The fresh air has done me good.do somebody good (=make someone feel better)not do (somebody) any harm also do (somebody) no harm (=not have a bad effect on something or someone)One or two chocolate cookies won’t do you any harm.do damage (to something/somebody)A mistake like that can do a lot of damage to your career.phrasesdo a lot for something (=have a good effect on something)The new leisure centre has done a lot for the town’s image.do nothing for something (=not have a good effect on something)Being apart for so long did nothing for our relationship.do nothing for somebody (=used to say that particular clothes, colours etc do not suit someone)I liked the dress but it did nothing for me.do wonders for something (=have a very good effect on something)A new haircut can do wonders for your self-confidence.do more harm than good (=used to say that something had a bad effect rather than a good one)I followed his advice but it did more harm than good. → do away with somebody/something → do somebody ↔ down → do for somebody/something → do somebody in → do something ↔ out → do somebody out of something → do somebody/something over → do up → do with something → do without→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
do• I bought the car for £3500, and it's only done 30,000 miles!• Carrey wants to expand beyond funny faces, the way Steve Martin and Robin Williams did.• He's doing an art course at Wrexham College.• I'd better go home -- I've got to do an exam in the morning.• How are you doing? Are you nearly finished?• Do as I say, not as I do.• He does Clinton very well.• I've done dozens of shows in the north of England, and the audiences were great!• I can't decide whether to do German or Spanish next year.• I set my alarm for four in the morning to give myself enough time to do homework before the paper route.• So now Clinton does Ike one better: He has created a seven-member commission to study racial issues.• He used to do karate when he was in college.• "What are you doing?" "Making cookies."• I did my time in the army like everyone else.• Howard did some rapid calculations on the back of an envelope.• Hey, the washing-up's been done. That must have been Cynthia.• I'm always the one who does the cooking and cleaning and stuff around here.• Can you do the twist?• He did two years at the University of Tennessee after he left here.• As a young teacher she did two years in one of the city's toughest schools.• Aged 70, he does what he can to represent those inside.• I suppose I knew, in my heart, that it had something to do with Amin.• Anyone who thinks about the speedup of change must sense that it has a lot to do with modern technology.• Again, a problem having little to do with the need for truthfulness.• I could do you an omelette.• Did you do computing at school?• Do your homework before you watch TV.do the laundry/ironing/dishes etc• Such a performance ensures she need never do the dishes.• She did the laundry and hung it out to dry in the back yard; she cooked the meals.• If it was my turn to do the dishes, I would usually lie down.• It is immoral to do the ironing in front of the television when there is a good film on.• He helped me do the dishes left from lunch.• They're more prepared to do the dishes or change nappies.• I mean how would you do the laundry with thirteen kids.how somebody/something is doing (with/in something)• At least once a day we discuss with the parents how the baby is doing.• Top firms have been asked to supply him with sales data to help him understand how the economy is doing.• Directors must know how the organisation is doing against its chosen strategy.• I ask her several times how she is doing and she assures me that everything is fine, absolutely fine.• Be sure you also have a big-picture idea of how the economy is doing before buying your first stock.• Asked to evaluate how Congress is doing its job, the public divides evenly, 46 percent to 46 percent.• Once, when I ask how her son is doing, she practically runs from the room.• The government seems unaware how well he is doing, which suits him fine. do wonders for• Nice curtains and matching scatter cushions do wonders for a jaded living room.• And the visit of a white lady from afar will do wonders for his reputation!• It would, of course, do wonders for local business.• We are hoping for romance and adventure, and certainly, starving is going to do wonders for my weight.• It does wonders for the individual, and it brings families together.• Younger talents can invigorate a team and do wonders for the payrolls; just look at Atlanta and Montreal.• This new role will do wonders for the silent opposition within his own ranks.• A nice dry day can do wonders for ticket sales.do for a living• All the way along, of course, I wondered what I would eventually do for a living.• FreeI.net doesn't care about your name, your address, your age, or what you do for a living.• He was asked what he did for a living.• It's what I do for a living.• Or for guessing what this pair do for a living.• What does he do for a living?• Like if you are married, and what you do for a living apart from this.• I don't know what you do for a living but you obviously don't know much about the real world.do me• Or does all this mystify you as much as it does me?• Angela, would you do me a favor.• Oh, Benjamin, could you do me a favor?• Stonehenge has gone, so I reckon I can do me bit of growing up at Skipton Hall.• Now do me the same for every year between 1066 and 2065.• Okay, but can you do me this? did ... time• I didn't have time to do anything else.• I want to get this club turned in the other direction, like we did the last time.• It was difficult to see him alone, but I did manage a few times.• He did it three times, and each time the shell came up flush with the barrel.• When I got drafted, I did my time, and then I joined a reserve unit.• Simpson, as he did many times, kept saying everyone would have to see his video.• We saw less and less of each other and fought like tigers when we did spend time together.do as you’re told• You do as you 're told.• You need your owner's support and wisdom so try to keep to heel and do as you 're told.• Hell, why can't you do as you 're told for me?• If she doesn't do as she's told, send her to her room.dodo3 noun (plural dos or do’s) [countable] 1 DL informal a party or other social event We’re having a do to celebrate his 30th birthday.► see thesaurus at party2 → dos and don’ts3 American English informal a hairdoExamples from the Corpus
do• A friend of mine's having a bit of a do in town tomorrow night.• a family do• Are you going to Darren's leaving do?dodo4 /dəʊ $ doʊ/ noun [singular, uncountable] APManother spelling of dohFrom Longman Business DictionaryDODO or d/oTRANSPORT written abbreviation for DELIVERY ORDEROrigin do1 Old English don 