would do the trick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would do the trick" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something will achieve the desired result or solve a problem. Example: "If you're looking for a quick solution, adding a bit of salt to the recipe would do the trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That would do the trick.

The New Yorker

Perhaps $1 billion would do the trick.

The Economist

A wedding would do the trick.

The New Yorker

What would do the trick?

The Washington Post

Surely that would do the trick?

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps a baby would do the trick?

The Guardian - Opinion

We think this would do the trick".

The New York Times

AMY DAVIDSON: Laurent, that would do the trick!

The New Yorker

"Like Mother, Like Son": that would do the trick.

The New Yorker

A white-water raft would do the trick.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Going to longer maturities would do the trick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would do the trick" when you want to suggest a simple, straightforward solution to a problem or when indicating that something is adequate for a specific purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "would do the trick" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "would suffice" or "would be effective" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would do the trick" functions as a predicate, expressing the capability or likelihood of something to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig examples show its use in suggesting solutions or indicating sufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would do the trick" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiom that indicates something will be effective or sufficient to achieve a desired result. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most often in news and media contexts, with some usage in scientific and wiki-based content. While versatile, avoid using it in highly formal writing, opting instead for alternatives like "would suffice" for increased precision. Use it confidently in most other situations to suggest a straightforward solution or confirm adequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be effective

Emphasizes the capability to produce a desired result.

would suffice

Suggests that something is adequate or enough to meet a need, possibly implying a minimal level of acceptance.

would be sufficient

Indicates adequacy, similar to 'suffice', but potentially more formal.

would get the job done

A more informal way of saying something would accomplish a task.

would solve the problem

Specifically indicates that something would resolve an issue.

would take care of it

Implies a solution that manages or resolves a situation, often with a sense of ease.

would be the answer

Suggests something is the ideal or correct solution.

would hit the spot

Informal, suggesting something would satisfy a craving or need perfectly.

would be just the ticket

Suggests something is exactly what is needed or desired.

would prove useful

Suggests that something will likely be beneficial or helpful.

FAQs

What does "would do the trick" mean?

The phrase "would do the trick" means that something will be effective or sufficient to achieve a desired result or solve a problem. It suggests a simple or straightforward solution.

When is it appropriate to use "would do the trick"?

It's appropriate to use "would do the trick" in informal to neutral contexts when you want to suggest that something is likely to be effective. In more formal settings, alternatives like "would suffice" or "would be effective" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "would do the trick"?

Some alternatives to "would do the trick" include "would suffice", "would be sufficient", "would be effective", or "would get the job done". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "would do the trick" grammatically correct?

Yes, "would do the trick" is grammatically correct and a common idiom in English. It follows standard grammatical rules and is widely understood.