make do and mend

make do and mend

To maintain one's possessions for as long as possible, repairing rather than replacing them when needed, with the goal of not buying and/or consuming more than is necessary. To "make do" is to use what one has or make the best of a situation, even if it is not ideal. Growing up, my mother had to provide for three of us on her own, so we learned very quickly to make do and mend.
See also: and, make, mend
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

make do and ˈmend

(especially British English) mend, repair or make things yourself instead of buying new things: We’ve all forgotten now how to make do and mend.
See also: and, make, mend
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • car
  • live out of (one's) car
  • make a hole in
  • make a hole in (something)
  • stand on (one's) dignity
  • stand on dignity
  • stand on your dignity
  • take it with (one) (when one goes)
  • take it with one
  • (from) top to toe
References in periodicals archive
She was a child of the Second World War when Britain was taught how to Make Do And Mend.
Seams like a top idea
That's what makes me say make do and mend. It can work well.
Make do and mend attitude has gone; NOSTALGIA LETTERS&
We have lost the art of make do and mend. There will always be the haves and have-nots, but we should accept our lot and show others how to help themselves where possible.
It's time to learn just to make do
MAKE do and mend. As a mother and general organiser of the family home I understand this concept all too well at the moment.
Make do and mend our rail network; Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
Second-year degree students from Birmingham City University's Birmingham Institute of Art and Design were tasked with designing a collection of clothes based on the Make Do and Mend movement of World War Two.
Among those to view the designs was Perry Common pensioner Les Hill, who said he had memories of his family entering into spirit of Make Do and Mend in wartime Birmingham.
Senior fashion lecturer Bob Manning said: "I'm so impressed with all of the pieces, they have done a fantastic job of reinterpreting the idea of make do and mend with a modern twist.
MAKE DO AND MEND BACK ON TREND