would likely do in

English translation: eliminate

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	would likely do in
Selected answer:	eliminate
Entered by:	Anna Maria Augustine (X)

15:52 Oct 8, 2004

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Medical - Genetics

English term or phrase: would likely do in

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?

melon

eliminate

Explanation:
"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.

Selected response from:

Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Local time: 01:33

Grading comment

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +13

Yes, kill

Kim Metzger

yes, do in = to get rid off / to kill

swisstell

eliminate

Anna Maria Augustine (X)

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

1 min confidence:

peer agreement (net): +13

Yes, kill

Explanation:
Precisely.

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 17:33
Native speaker of:

English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

Konstantin Kisin: very strange language for a medical assessment...unless it was written by a thug somewhere. :)) But yes, definately kill

2 mins

-> A very "casual" style, I agree.

agree

hirselina

2 mins

agree

Cilian O'Tuama: very colloquial, as much so IMO as 'kick their teeth in'

3 mins

-> Although, in AE at least, it could be the right register for a lay audience.

agree

cmwilliams (X): would probably kill....

11 mins

-> Good point - not "will kill"

agree

awilliams

43 mins

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

-> Although that was my point, I must say.

agree

lindaellen (X)

2 hrs

agree

Asghar Bhatti

3 hrs

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

-> Yes, what verb would a scientist use?

agree

Alfa Trans (X)

15 hrs

agree

sonja29 (X)

21 hrs

2 mins confidence:

yes, do in = to get rid off / to kill

Explanation:
:-)

swisstell
Italy
Local time: 01:33
Native speaker of: German

6 hrs confidence:

eliminate

Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Local time: 01:33
Native speaker of:

English,

French

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English translation: eliminate

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