To continue my series on phrasal verbs (started last time with “to be”), today I’m looking at phrasal verbs using to do. This is a rather common root and we have phrasal verbs with very varied meanings. To do is usually followed by an object that describes a complete result, as we tend to “do something”. These phrasal verbs, however, often refer more to the results of actions on the object, e.g. to do up = to make improvements.

Curiously, many of the to do phrasal verbs have negative meanings, perhaps stemming from the idea that something being “done” relates to it being finished, which owes to ideas such as killing, breaking or otherwise incapacitating.

Phrasal Verbs Using “to Do”

to do away with

To get rid of, remove or put an end to something.

• It’s time we did away with racism.

to do over [something]

To start something again; a fresh start, usually when the first attempt has not gone well. (Often used as a noun for a similar meaning, a “do over”.)

• The cake was going badly, so they gave up and did it over from scratch.

to do over [someone]

To attack or otherwise abuse someone.

• The children threatened to do over Mr Wilson if he didn’t hand over more money for sweets.

to do up (1)

To tie or fasten something, usually relating to clothes.

• It’s cold outside, be sure to do up your scarf tight.

to do up (2)

To repair or improve.

• Now Fay’s got a higher salary, she’s going to do up her house.

to do with / without

To need something, or to be able to make do without it. Often used with modal verbss like can or could.

• I’m tired, I could do with a tea.
• We will do this project without Charles, he’s always late.

to do in

To kill, exhaust, tire or otherwise seriously abuse someone or something.

• The gangsters did in the snitch before he could testify.

to do out of

To cheat / unfairly take something (from the object).

• When he was dropped from new project, Charles was done out of a job.

to do for

To seriously damage something, or to seriously hurt, kill or otherwise abuse someone. Also used in a descriptive sense, when something is hopeless/doomed (e.g. My car was done for.)

• The potholes have really done for my car’s suspension.
• Charles was mad – he would do for his team when he got the chance.

 

That’s it for today’s phrasal verbs, do let me know if I’ve missed any or if anything is unclear!