make do and mend

English
Board of Trade poster

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈmeɪk ˈduː ən ˈmɛnd/

Etymology

From the title of a booklet issued by the UK Ministry of Information.

Verb

make do and mend

  1. (Britain) To follow a philosophy, during World War II, of repairing clothes etc that would normally be discarded due to shortages and rationing.
    • 2000 Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska - Austerity in Britain: Rationing, Controls, and Consumption, 1939-1955
      The 'make do and mend' campaign was the Board of Trade's central propaganda effort directed at housewives. It gave advice on preservation, renovation, and repair of clothing and other household goods.
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