do duty as

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Having reached Safeway with no fatalities, Stassin and I ordered our respective Loomos to trail us, so that they could do duty as shopping carts.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 19, 2018

Assistant-surgeon Crawford, having no sick in hospital, generously offered to do duty as officer of the day, and his offer was gladly accepted.

From Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-'61 by Doubleday, Abner

We can't fetch bricks from the other end, and I draw the line at timber to do duty as bricks.

From Scamping Tricks and Odd Knowledge Occasionally Practised upon Public Works by Newman, John Henry

This anxiety was, however, speedily relieved, by the appearance of Miss Cecile on the upper deck of the junk, waving a petticoat, which she had made do duty as a flag of truce.

From The Three Midshipmen by Prout, Victor

A third has detached from its leather one of his stirrup-irons, and is hanging it on a string to do duty as a triangle.

From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter