do·ing (dōṓĭng)

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noun 

1. Performance of an act: a job not worth the doing.
2. 1. Activities that go on every day: “A motley crew they are, their doings as dark as they are ludicrous” (John Simon)
   2. Social events and activities.

do¹ (dōō)

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[Middle English don, from Old English dōn.]

verb: did (dĭd), done (dŭn), do·ing, does (dŭz) 

transitive verb 

1. 1. To perform or execute: do one's assigned task; do a series of business deals.
   2. To fulfill the requirements of: did my duty at all times.
   3. To carry out; commit: a crime that had been done on purpose.
2. 1. To produce, especially by creative effort: do a play on Broadway.
   2. To play the part or role of in a creative production: did Elizabeth I in the film.
   3. To mimic: “doing the Southern voice, improvising it inventively as he goes along” (William H. Pritchard)
3. 1. To bring about; effect: Crying won't do any good now.
   2. To render; give: do equal justice to the opposing sides; do honor to one's family.
4. To put forth; exert: Do the best you can.
5. 1. To attend to in such a way as to take care of or put in order: did the bedrooms before the guests arrived.
   2. To prepare for further use especially by washing: did the dishes.
6. 1. To set or style (the hair).
   2. To apply cosmetics to: did her face.
7. To have as an occupation or profession: Have you decided what you will do after college?
8. To work out by studying: do a homework assignment.
9. Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb: He can play the piano, and I can do that, too.
10. Informal
    1. To travel (a specified distance): do a mile in four minutes.
    2. To make a tour of; visit: “ did 15 countries of Western Europe in only a few days” (R.W. Apple, Jr.)
11. 1. To be sufficient in meeting the needs of; serve: This room will do us very nicely.
    2. Informal To serve (a prison term): did time in jail; did five years for tax fraud.
12. Slang To cheat; swindle: do a relative out of an inheritance.
13. Slang To take (drugs) illegally: “If you do drugs you are going to be in continual trouble” (Jimmy Breslin)
14. Slang To kill; murder.
15. Vulgar Slang To have sex with; bring to orgasm.

intransitive verb 

1. To behave or conduct oneself; act: Do as I say and you won't get into trouble.
2. 1. To get along; fare: students who do well at school.
   2. To carry on; manage: I could do without your interference.
   3. To make good use of something because of need: I could do with a hot bath.
3. 1. To serve a specified purpose: This coat will do for another season.
   2. To be proper or fitting: Such behavior just won't do.
4. To take place; happen: What's doing in London this time of year?
5. Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb: worked as hard as everyone else did.
6. Used after another verb for emphasis: Run quickly, do!

verb 

1. Used with the infinitive without to in questions, negative statements, and inverted phrases: Do you understand? I did not sleep well. Little did we know what was in store for us.
2. Used as a means of emphasis: I do want to be sure.

noun: pl., dos or do's 

1. A statement of what should be done: a list of the dos and don'ts of management.
2. Informal An entertainment; a party: attended a big do at the embassy.
3. A commotion.
4. Chiefly British Slang A swindle; a cheat.
5. Archaic Duty; deed.
6. Slang Fecal matter; excrement.

phrasal verbs

do by

To behave with respect to; deal with: The children have done well by their aged parents.

do for

To care or provide for; take care of.

do in

To tire completely; exhaust: The marathon did me in.

To kill.

To ruin utterly: Huge losses on the stock market did many investors in.

do up

To adorn or dress lavishly: The children were all done up in matching outfits.

To wrap and tie (a package).

To fasten: do up the buttons on a dress.

do without

To manage despite the absence of: We had to do without a telephone on the island.

idioms

can do without

To prefer not to experience or deal with: I could do without their complaints.

do a disappearing act

To vanish.

do away with

To make an end of; eliminate. To destroy; kill.

do it

To engage in sexual intercourse.

do (one) proud

To act or perform in a way that gives cause for pride.

do (one's) bit

To make an individual contribution toward an overall effort.

do (one's) business

Slang To defecate. Used especially of a pet.

do (one's) own thing

To do what one does best or finds most enjoyable: “I get paid to try cases and to do my thing on trial” (Bruce Cutler)