do without

Inseparable

The verb and particle never split. The object always follows the whole phrase.

How to say it

Stress the particle, not the verb: do WITHOUT. Saying “DO without” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.

No pause between the words. /u/ runs straight into /w/ — “do without” is one rhythmic unit with a single stressed beat on the particle.

What it means

  1. To manage in the absence of something.

    • After the power outage, we had to do without electricity for two days.
    • I could do without the commentary, thanks.

    Similar: manage without, forgo

Listen + practice

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More DO phrasal verbs

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do without — meaning, examples & how to say it