Pronunciation: [dˈʌz djˈuːti] (IPA) 
The phrase "does duty" is spelled with the phonetic transcription of /dʌz/ for "does" and /ˈdjuːti/ for "duty". The word "does" is pronounced with a short u sound (/ʌ/) followed by a voiced z sound (/z/) and the word "duty" is pronounced with a diphthongized long u sound (/juː/) followed by a voiceless t sound (/t/). In English, the phrase "does duty" means to serve a particular purpose or to carry out a specific task.
The phrase "does duty" is an idiomatic expression used to convey the idea that something serves a specific purpose or function. It implies that an object, person, or thing is regularly or temporarily fulfilling a particular role or responsibility. The term can be applied to various contexts, such as objects, roles, actions, or even abstract concepts.
When talking about objects, "does duty" suggests that an item is being used or employed for its intended purpose or fulfilling a specific function. For example, a Swiss army knife can "do duty" as a toolset, knife, bottle opener, etc., depending on the situation.
In terms of roles or positions, "does duty" indicates that someone is temporarily fulfilling the obligations or responsibilities of a particular job or function. For instance, when an assistant steps in to perform tasks or responsibilities for their absent manager, they are said to "do duty" for their superior.
In the realm of actions, "does duty" signifies that an action is being carried out with a purpose or fulfills a specific role. For instance, when a makeshift band performs at an event, they "do duty" as entertainment for the attendees.
Overall, the phrase "does duty" conveys the notion that something is actively serving a function, carrying out a role, or fulfilling a purpose in a particular context.
The phrase "does duty" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two common words: "does" and "duty". Here is the etymology of each word individually:
1. Does: The word "does" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "do". Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English word "dōes" or "dōeth", which derived from the Proto-Germanic word "dōþ". This ultimately originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁- meaning "to put, place, do". Over time, the word "does" evolved to its current form in Modern English.
2. Duty: The word "duty" has a longer history.
