Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
would likely do in
English answer:
eliminate
Added to glossary by
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
Oct 8, 2004 15:52
19 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
melon
would likely do in
Non-PRO
English
Medical
Genetics
Skeptics point out that our immune system would likely do in designer bacteria, but one of the scientists suggests that the problem might be dealt with by using a therapy that would give the genetically engineered bacteria an opportunity to reach their designer cellular targets.
Does it mean that the immune system will kill the designer bacteria?
Does it mean that the immune system will kill the designer bacteria?
Responses
| 4 | eliminate |
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
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| 4 +13 | Yes, kill |
Kim Metzger
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| 4 | yes, do in = to get rid off / to kill |
swisstell
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Responses
6 hrs
Selected
eliminate
"do in" is a phrasal verb; verb plus preposition in this case. Eliminate is easier to understand as so many non native English speakers have difficulties with prepositions, especially in a phrasal verb context. Scientists don't necessarily use more intellectually oriented language, nevertheless.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+13
1 min
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
&
English
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: German to English
Yes, kill
Precisely.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Konstantin Kisin
: very strange language for a medical assessment...unless it was written by a thug somewhere. :)) But yes, definately kill
2 mins
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A very "casual" style, I agree.
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| agree |
hirselina
2 mins
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| agree |
Cilian O'Tuama
: very colloquial, as much so IMO as 'kick their teeth in'
3 mins
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Although, in AE at least, it could be the right register for a lay audience.
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| agree |
cmwilliams (X)
: would probably kill....
11 mins
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Good point - not "will kill"
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| agree |
awilliams
43 mins
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| agree |
RHELLER
: eliminate
49 mins
|
| agree |
Saleh Chowdhury, Ph.D.
1 hr
|
| agree |
nlingua
: I thinnk Cilian is right about the language being targeted at a "lay audience" // sorry Kim I didn't see your response when I typed my comment
1 hr
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Although that was my point, I must say.
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| agree |
lindaellen (X)
2 hrs
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| agree |
Asghar Bhatti
3 hrs
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| agree |
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
: But usually used when referring to a person rather than the bacteria that might be on the person.
6 hrs
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Yes, what verb would a scientist use?
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
15 hrs
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| agree |
sonja29 (X)
21 hrs
|
2 mins
yes, do in = to get rid off / to kill
:-)
Discussion