that will do
phrase1
Idiomatic said to confirm that something is suitable in quantity or in a particular quality
- I said, "Your Royal Highness : on or abou the 10th day of October, 1861, John Wilson Mackenzie, of Rotterdam, Chemung county. New Jersey, deceased, contracted with the General Government to furnish to General Sherman the sum total of thirty barrels of beef—" "That will do, sir—that will do; this office has nothing to do with contracts for beef."1871, Mark Twain, chapter IV, in Eye Openers: Good Things, Immensely Funny Sayings & Stories That Will Bring a Smile Upon the Gruffest Countenance, page 38:
- C. — Mr. Smart Aleck, what does you know about this case? Smart A. — I heard the accused say, "them there Germans needs more taters." Miss C. — What else did you hear him say? Smart A.— Nothing but I lost my— Miss C. — Lost what? Smart A. — Lost my tater. Miss C— That will do for you. (To Solicitor) You may have the witness.1919, Julia E. Park, Trial for the Murder of the King's English, page 12:
1 more example
- “That will do me nicely,’ he told the others. ‘I don’t like crocodiles — too many teeth.’2009, Jeremy Strong, chapter 6, in The Indoor Pirates On Treasure Island, page 77:
2
Idiomatic an interjection used to tell a person or animal to stop what they are doing
- Your dog should know (at least) how to down, stay, and come, and should also know "That Will Do" (or “OK")..."That Will Do": used to release the dog from work & call it off the stock.2009, Caroline Colie, Australian shepherds : everything about purchase, care, nutrition, behavior, and training, page 80:
- Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes. “That will do,” he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor.2012, Joanne Rowling, “5, Diagon Alley”, in Harry Potter Omnibus, page 78: