Serve your/its turn
verb phrase
To fulfill a particular need or purpose.
This old laptop isn't the best, but it will serve its turn for now.
Often appears as...
- serve its turn for
- serve its turn in
verb phrase
To be useful or helpful for a short period of time.
The loan from the bank served its turn until we could find more stable finances.
Often appears as...
- serve its turn until
- serve its turn during
verb phrase
To fulfill a particular need or purpose.
This old laptop isn't the best, but it will serve its turn for now.
Often appears as...
- serve its turn for
- serve its turn in
verb phrase
To be useful or helpful for a short period of time.
The loan from the bank served its turn until we could find more stable finances.
Often appears as...
- serve its turn until
- serve its turn during
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Temporary Solution
Indicates a stopgap or temporary fix, not a permanent one.
A space heater will serve its turn while the central heating is fixed.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Need
Use when something meets a need or purpose right now, even if it's not the best option.
These old textbooks aren't current, but they'll serve their turn for the exam study.
Pro Tip 3/3Usability
Emphasizes that something remains usable, despite being outdated or not ideal.
Grandma's sewing machine looks old, but it still serves its turn.
Pro Tip 1/3Temporary Solution
Indicates a stopgap or temporary fix, not a permanent one.
A space heater will serve its turn while the central heating is fixed.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Need
Use when something meets a need or purpose right now, even if it's not the best option.
These old textbooks aren't current, but they'll serve their turn for the exam study.
Pro Tip 3/3Usability
Emphasizes that something remains usable, despite being outdated or not ideal.
Grandma's sewing machine looks old, but it still serves its turn.
Pro Tip 1/3Temporary Solution
Indicates a stopgap or temporary fix, not a permanent one.
A space heater will serve its turn while the central heating is fixed.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Need
Use when something meets a need or purpose right now, even if it's not the best option.
These old textbooks aren't current, but they'll serve their turn for the exam study.
Pro Tip 3/3Usability
Emphasizes that something remains usable, despite being outdated or not ideal.
Grandma's sewing machine looks old, but it still serves its turn.
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