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do with

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phrasal verb [transitive]
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theydo with
he/she/itdoes with
present participledoing with
past tensedid with
past participledone with
  1. 1
    have (something/anything) to do with

    be something/anything/nothing to do with

    1. a.
      to be connected with someone or something

      Most of the articles have to do with America’s role in the world since the end of the Cold War.

      Was the dispute anything to do with safety regulations?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  2. 2
    be/have nothing to do with someone
    1. a.
      used for saying that someone or something is not connected with or involved in a particular fact or situation

      I’m quite sure Nancy’s resignation has nothing to do with her health.

      Reynolds has always claimed that he had nothing to do with her disappearance.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
    2. b.
      used for saying that something is personal and private and there is no reason for anyone else to know about it

      What I do in my own time has nothing to do with you.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  3. 3
    could do with something spoken used for saying that you want or need something

    I could do with a nice cup of tea right now.

    I’m sure James could do with some help.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  4. 4
    what someone does with something
    1. a.
      used for asking what arrangements someone makes for something

      What do you usually do with the cat when you’re away?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
    2. b.
      used for asking where someone puts something

      ‘What have you done with my calculator?’ ‘I put it on your desk.’

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
    3. c.
      used for asking how someone uses something

      What am I going to do with all this food if no one turns up?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  5. 5
    what someone does with themselves used for asking how someone spends their time

    What are you going to do with yourself during the school holidays?

    He won’t know what to do with himself while Julie is gone.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  6. 6
    what has something (got) to do with...? used for asking, often in an angry way, how two people or things are connected or why someone is interested in something

    What have her personal problems got to do with my holiday plans?

    As a matter of fact I do have a boyfriend, but what’s that got to do with you?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  7. 7
    what is someone doing with something? spoken used for asking why someone has something

    What are you doing with my CD player?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with
  8. 8
    what someone is going to do with someone spoken used for asking how you are going to make someone behave better

    I don’t know what we’re going to do with you, Tony. You’re always in trouble.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  do withThesaurus entry for this meaning of do with

This is the British English definition of do with. View American English definition of do with.

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See also main entry: do

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able to be read and understood by people

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