it'll do
Good enough. Not fancy, but it works.
Also called it'll do just fine.
Updated September 24, 2026
it'll do pronunciation
/IT-ull doo/
Meaning
It'll do is the rural seal of approval for anything that is not perfect and does not need to be. Crooked fence board, leftover supper, a truck that still starts: none of it wins a prize, and that is fine. In redneck talk the phrase carries a dry shrug. You are done fussing. This will get you through.
How folks use it
- “Paint job ain't pretty, but it'll do till spring.”
- “That old chain saw's loud as thunder, but it'll do.”
Origin and etymology
Plain English from do meaning serve or suffice. The short form it'll do is common across English, and it sits especially natural in Southern and country speech where understatement beats gushing. Farm and shop talk keep it sharp: if it works, quit picking at it.
Frequently asked questions
Does it'll do mean something is bad?
Not always. It means good enough. Sometimes that is faint praise. Sometimes it is honest respect for a tool that still works.