do double duty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A handmade glass can do double duty as a housewarming and a Mother’s Day gift.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Representing the ocean was Britten’s “Four Sea Interludes From ‘Peter Grimes,’” brief movements that do double duty as poetic depictions of water, and as representations of the opera’s underlying drama.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023

Duchamp proposed that a metal rack for drying used wine bottles at a cafe, an ordinary hardware-store snow shovel or a plain bathroom urinal could all do double duty as sculptures.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2023

In the score, European instruments do double duty; banjo can be played to resemble the Chinese sanxian, while guitar can sound like the pipa.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2023

“Now let’s fly round, and do double duty today, so that we can play tomorrow with free minds,” said Jo, preparing to replace her pen with a broom.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott