do the trick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do the trick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that works or produces a particular result. For example: "I think adding a little honey to the recipe will do the trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would that do the trick?

The New Yorker

Might just do the trick".

The New Yorker

Will this do the trick?

Forbes

Dawei should do the trick.

The Economist

That would do the trick.

The New Yorker

What verbs do the trick?

The New York Times

It didn't do the trick.

The New Yorker

Should do the trick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Special effects do the trick.

The New Yorker

What would do the trick?

The Washington Post

Our reject would not do the trick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do the trick" when you want to express that a simple solution is effective. For example, "A little bit of sugar will do the trick to sweeten the coffee."

Common error

While "do the trick" is a useful idiom, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "suffice", "be effective", or "get the job done" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do the trick" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is effective or adequate for achieving a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do the trick" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiom that signifies something is effective or adequate for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki-based content, its informal tone suits casual communication but is less appropriate for formal academic or professional contexts. Related phrases include "be effective" and "suffice", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When writing, it’s advisable to vary your language and avoid overusing this phrase. Overall, "do the trick" is a reliable and straightforward way to express that something gets the job done.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be effective

Focuses on the effectiveness of something, omitting the problem-solving aspect.

suffice

Indicates adequacy, but is more formal and less common in everyday speech.

get the job done

Emphasizes the completion of a task, rather than a simple solution.

serve the purpose

Highlights the fulfillment of an intention, lacking the sense of cleverness or ease.

be adequate

Stresses the sufficiency of something, but not necessarily its success.

resolve the issue

Focuses specifically on problem-solving, omitting the broader applicability.

solve the problem

Directly addresses problem-solving, ignoring the idea of fulfilling a need.

work well

Highlights the functionality of something, but not its specific purpose.

be just the thing

Suggests suitability, yet is more informal and emphasizes finding something ideal.

cut it

Informal and idiomatic, emphasizing acceptance but lacking the problem-solving implication.

FAQs

How can I use "do the trick" in a sentence?

You can use "do the trick" to indicate that something will be effective or sufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "Adding more memory to your computer should "do the trick"."

What can I say instead of "do the trick"?

You can use alternatives like "be effective", "suffice", or "get the job done" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to use "do the trick"?

"Do the trick" is generally considered to be an informal idiom. It's best used in casual conversation or writing, rather than formal academic or professional contexts.

Can "solve the problem" be used interchangeably with "do the trick"?

While similar, "solve the problem" specifically focuses on resolving an issue, whereas ""do the trick"" implies a simpler, often quicker solution that achieves the desired outcome.