Idioms

do the trick

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do

1. noun, slang A hairstyle. From "hairdo." I love your new do! What salon do you go to? I need a new do—any suggestions? I was in the mood for a new do, so I went with a bob. Chic, right?
2. noun A party or similarly festive event. I know Sally's having some big do this weekend, but I just feel like staying home and relaxing. Look, this is just going to be a few friends hanging out and catching up. It's not a big do. I know my sister expects me to throw her some do now that she's pregnant, but, come on, it's her third kid!
3. verb, vulgar slang To have sex with someone. It's pretty obvious that you want to do Kayla, so you might as well just come out with it. He's not a long-term relationship-type of guy. He clearly just wants to do you. You're still dating Jenny, right? You do her yet?

do the trick

To do, accomplish, or fulfil exactly what is needed or sought after. The recipe calls for pancetta, but I think this regular bacon should do the trick. The movie's plot, such as it is, won't go on to win any awards, but the gory special effects will do the trick for any fans of the horror genre. I turned it off and back on, and that did the trick.
See also: trick

that does the trick

That is all that was remaining or required to accomplish something. There, that does the trick. The engine should be as good as new, now! A: "I reset the breakers. Is the power coming back on?" B: "Yep, that did the trick!"
See also: does, that, trick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

do someone (down)

Rur. to treat someone badly. I ain't speaking to Mary. Not after the way she did me down.

do

 (one's) duty
1. . to do one's job; to do what is expected of one. Please don't thank me. I'm just doing my duty. Soldiers who fight in wars are doing their duty.
2. Euph. to defecate or urinate. We're not leaving this restroom until you do your duty. She did her duty in the potty, just like a big girl!

do the trick

to do exactly what is needed. This new paint scraper really does the trick. Is this envelope large enough to do the trick?
See also: trick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

do the trick

Also, turn the trick. Bring about a desired result, succeed. For example, One more turn with the wrench should do the trick, or Bill wanted to finish all the errands in one day but he couldn't quite turn the trick. The first expression dates from the early 1800s; the variant, from the first half of the 1900s; should not be confused with turn a trick.
See also: trick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

do the trick

INFORMAL
COMMON If something does the trick, it achieves what you want. If these self-help remedies don't do the trick, consult a qualified doctor. If you're not sure what your baby wants, then try a cuddle — it usually does the trick.
See also: trick
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

do the trick

achieve the required result. informal
1990 Niki Hill Death Grows On You I figured a box of candy would do the trick, would bring some colour back.
See also: trick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

do the ˈjob/ˈtrick

(informal) do what is needed or wanted: These pills should do the job. You’ll feel better in no time.I tried many different ways to stop smoking. Acupuncture finally did the trick.
See also: job, trick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

do

1. n. a party; a social event. I’m having a do for a friend this weekend. Would you like to come?
2. tv. & in. to use a drug or drugs in general. (see also do a line, do drugs.) Taylor never stopped doing. She just switched from dust to splash.
3. and doo n. a hairdo. I can’t go out in this rain and get my doo wet!
4. Go to (must) do.
5. in. to serve (a purpose) well. (Usually with will or won’t.) This will do quite nicely.
6. Go to doo-doo.
7. tv. to copulate [with] someone. (Usually objectionable.) He did Martha, then he did Sue, then he did Gloria.

do the trick

tv. to do exactly what is needed. Does this little tool do the trick?
See also: trick
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

do

/turn the trick
To bring about the desired result.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

do the trick

Accomplish something, succeed. Dating from the early nineteenth century, this cliché uses “trick” in the sense of an accomplishment. For example, “Add some pepper to the sauce and that should do the trick.” The synonymous turn the trick, dating from the same period, is heard less often today. “A couple of college products turned the trick for the Whalers,” wrote a sports columnist (Springfield Daily News, April 22, 1976). To turn a trick, on the other hand, uses “trick” in the slangy sense of a prostitute’s customer and means to engage in a sexual act with such an individual. Also see that does it.
See also: trick
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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