press sth/sb into service
Definition
› to use something or someone that is not completely suitable because nothing or no one more suitable is available: The car's broken down so I've had to press my old bike back into service.Using and misusing
(Definition of press sth/sb into service from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- adopt verb (START USING)
- adoption noun (STARTING TO USE)
- avail yourself of sth phrasal verb
- be (of) (any/some) use idiom
- be/go heavy on sth idiom
- exhaust verb (USE)
- get/muscle in on the act idiom
- give/allow sth full play idiom
- go into sth phrasal verb (BE USED)
- go through sth phrasal verb (USE)
- gobble sth up phrasal verb
- spare verb (TRY HARD)
- spent adjective
- swallow verb (TAKE AWAY)
- tap verb (GET)
- trade on sth phrasal verb
- turn sth over phrasal verb (USE)
- turn to sth phrasal verb
- turn/use sth to good account idiom
- underused adjective
Topic:
Using and misusing
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