press into service
Draft for duty
To press into service is to put something or someone to use, often hastily or out of necessity, for a purpose not originally intended.
A spare bedroom gets pressed into service as a home office.
The phrase carries a note of improvisation—making do with what's available: We pressed the interns into service when half the staff called in sick.
- employEngage for work
- put to workCause to labor
- army volunteerSelf-selected military personnel
- conscriptCompulsory military enrollee
- bring into playStart using something available
commandeer · jury-rig · jury rig · requisition · makeshift · bring to bear · rope · pinch hitter · fill in · repurpose · shanghai · stopgap · mobilize · dragoon · draft · recruit · use · serve
press into servicevolunteer
Unpaid willing participant
sign up · answer the call · hire · enlist · come forward
press into servicedischarge
Release of substance outward
decommission · stand down · demobilize · dismiss · retire
press, service, pressed, pressing, presses, presser, pressure, pressurize, pressurized