do double duty

(redirected from did duty)

do double duty

1. To do two things simultaneously. It's sometimes tough to do double duty as an accountant and a mom, but we really needed a second income.

2. To be able to serve two functions. Don't worry, this space can do double duty as a guest room and an office.

See also: double, duty

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References in classic literature ?

Eryx, and that the Aegadean islands which are so striking when seen thence did duty with her for the Ionian islands--Marettimo, the highest and most westerly of the group, standing for Ithaca.

Those who know that the harbour which did duty with the writer of the "Odyssey" for the one in which Ulysses landed in Ithaca, was only about 2 miles from the place in which Ulysses is now talking with Alcinous, will understand why the sleep was so necessary.

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Saad Nateq, who did duty for Iraq at the Gulf Cup, is expected to join the squad soon.