Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To do again or repeat: "re-do" means to perform an action or task a second time, often to improve it or correct mistakes.
   • To renovate or redecorate: In informal use, "re-do" can mean to make something look new or different by changing its appearance.

Usage Examples

• To do again:

  • I had to re-do my homework because the teacher found too many errors. (I had to complete the assignment a second time to fix mistakes.)
  • She decided to re-do the entire painting after the canvas was damaged. (She started the artwork over from the beginning.)

• To renovate:

  • They plan to re-do the kitchen with new cabinets and flooring. (They intend to renovate the kitchen by updating its features.)

Advanced Usage

• "to re-do something from scratch": to start a task again completely, without using previous work.

  • The software crashed, so I had to re-do the report from scratch. (I had to begin the report anew because the original was lost.)

• "to re-do a room": a common expression for home renovation.

  • We are going to re-do the bathroom next month. (We will renovate the bathroom.)

Variants and Related Words

• Redo (noun): an act or instance of doing something again.
  • The first attempt was a failure, so they called for a redo. (They requested a second try.)
• Redone (past participle): having been done again.
  • The house was completely redone after the fire. (The house was entirely renovated.)

Synonyms

• Repeat: to do something again.
  • Please repeat the exercise to improve your skill. (Do it once more.)
• Rework: to revise or improve something.
  • The writer had to rework the chapter to make it clearer. (Revise and improve.)
• Renovate: to restore to a good condition, especially a building.
  • They renovated the old school into apartments. (Renovated.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Do over: (informal) to do something again.
  • If you make a mistake, you can do it over. (Redo it.)

Related Idioms

• Back to the drawing board: to start a task again after a failed attempt.
  • Our plan didn't work, so it's back to the drawing board. (We must redo the plan from the beginning.)