does, did, done, doing

to do without
phrasal verb

Cope in a situation where something is lacking
  • 1They learned to do without electricity during the storm.
  • 2He had to do without his phone while it was being repaired.
Imagine you need something, but you don't have it. You continue your activities even though that thing is missing. For example, if you don't have sugar for your tea, you drink the tea anyway. You manage or survive even though something important is not there.
Card
People often say "do without" when something is unavailable, like when the internet is down and you have to do without it for a while.
at the car cleaning service
Unexpected Shortages
William
Looks like we're out of the special wax today.
Anthony
I guess we'll have to do without it and use the regular one.
William
Yeah, it should still get the job done.
Anthony
Absolutely, the cars will still look great.
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