Wiktionary
vb. (context British English) A philosophy, during World War II, of repairing clothes etc that would normally be discarded due to shortages and rationing
Wikipedia
Make Do and Mend is an American post-hardcore band from West Hartford, Connecticut, that formed in 2003, who now live in Boston, Massachusetts. They have released 2 EPs on Panic Records, a split with Touché Amoré a full length in 2010 on Panic Records and Paper + Plastick and a full length in 2012 on Rise Records. While technically members of "The Wave", along with La Dispute, Touché Amoré, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Defeater, the band has since clarified that "The Wave" was merely an inside joke between those bands and does not represent a particular movement or subgenre in post-hardcore.
Usage examples of "make do and mend".
Gone to make do and mend, thinks I - and since H didn't have a red cent to requite her, it struck me as a capital time to resume my scattered togs and make tracks for the ministry.
This meant that apart from a few utilitarian robes donated by the kettle girls, she had to make do and mend her original adventuring garb, while she still fitted it.
Such is the unquenchable human spirit, with its seemingly ingrained philosophy of make do and mend.