make do
make do with
To use a poor substitute when one does not have the right thing.
John did not have a hammer, and he had to make do with a heavy rock.
This motel isn't what we wanted, but we must make do.
Many families manage to make do on very little income.
Pearl doesn’t have a clean blouse so she has to make do with the one she wore yesterday.
During difficult economic times, many people have to make do with less.