do without

[verb]

manage without, abstain from, dispense with, forgo, get along without, give up, kick (informal)

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I

usu. can do without manage without

she could do without cigarettes for a day

■ informal would prefer not to have

I can do without your complaints first thing in the morning

II

see do I

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do without [phrasal verb]

do without or do without (something or someone) : to not have (something) : to live, work, etc., without having (something)

If you can't afford a new car, you'll just have to do without (one).

I don't know how we ever did without computers.

I'd like to get a new car, but I can do without it for now.

◇ The phrase can/could do without is often used to say that you do not like or approve of something.

I enjoy traveling, but I can do without having to wait around in crowded airports. [=I don't like having to wait around]

He was late again. That's the kind of selfish behavior I could do without.

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Main Entry: ↑do

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do without — see ↑do, 1

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Main Entry: ↑without