answer (one's) purpose
answer (one's) purpose
To be useful for a particular task. If that's the only paintbrush we have, I think it will answer my purpose. What am I supposed to do with a broken umbrella? How will that answer my purpose in the pouring rain? I couldn't find any cotton rounds, but I do have some cotton balls, if that will answer your purpose.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
answer someone's purpose
and serve someone's purposeto fit or suit someone's aim or goal. This piece of wood will answer my purpose quite nicely. The new car serves our purpose perfectly.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.