Could do with

Today I have an idiom that is interesting.

This idiom is formed with three easy words which are ‘could’, ‘do’, and ‘with’. I will analyze a separate meaning before we will talk about idiom meaning.

Start with ‘could’, which is auxiliary verb, and have two main task, are,

1. Past Simple of ‘can’, for example,

- “When I was a teen, I could run 10 kilometers.” (shown that I’m not teen now and I can't run 10 kilometers anymore)

2. Used as a more polite form of ‘can’ when asking someone to provide something or do something, as follow,

- Excuse me, could I light up here?

Then, ‘do’ which the most familiar meaning is ‘to act or take action’, such as, do business, do wrong, do training and do painting.

And the last, 'with' that means together; with.

After that, if combine all three words together, it will not mean ‘able to do with’. Well…What does it mean? Let’s guess it! I will give you a hint below.

1. It's really hot. I could do with a nice cool drink.

2. The exam is round the corner. We could do with a good tutor to help us.

Do you know those sentences meaning?

The answer of the idiom ‘could do with’ means ‘want’. Somebody right? I will point the main notice for you.

1. This idiom will use auxiliary verb ‘could’ only, it cannot replace by another word that is similarly meaning such as ‘can’ or ‘be able to’. So, the two sentences below are fault.

- “I can do with a cup of tea.” The true is “I could do with a cup of tea.” means “I would like a cup of tea?”

- “I am able to do with a comic book.” The true is “I could do with a comic book.” means “I would like a comic book.”

2. This idiom use in the present tense only. If use it in the past, you have to use in past tense of ‘want’ which is ‘wanted’, for example,

- Yesterday was really hot. I wanted a nice cool drink.

- At the end of term when the exam was round the corner, we wanted a good tutor to help us.