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

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

Mr Mildmay will be mighty glad to find that he hasn’t to do duty as first lieutenant, though I don’t know what old Sandford may wish in his heart of hearts.

From The Three Commanders by Dugdale, Thomas Cantrell

The field magnet, in addition to furnishing the magnetic field, has to do duty as a framework which often involves considerations other than those respecting maximum economy.

From Hawkins Electrical Guide, Number One Questions, Answers, & Illustrations, A Progressive Course of Study for Engineers, Electricians, Students and Those Desiring to acquire a Working Knowledge of Electricity and its Applications by Hawkins, Nehemiah

Round the base of the desk three quaint lions do duty as feet.

From The Care of Books by Clark, John Willis