what can one do

Example Sentences

• "‘What’s the use of weeping now, Brother Vikentiy? You should have thought of this before. Now it’s too late.’ He made a good monk, however. Not that he is perfect. Of course, he would never go near a woman, but then, you know. . . . Oh, well, what can one do? The spirit is strong, but the flesh is weak."
• "An exception to the general principle that the gesture precedes the words is the one used to replace words. The gesture then should terminate the thought and be followed by a pause so that there is no confusion that action did not suit the word. Thus, if a speaker wishes to act out rather than say “oh well, what can one do” by shrugging his shoulders, a pause should follow the gesture before oral speech is resumed."
• "“The boss is the one who makes the profit,” the boy answered. “I’m just a half-starved flea in this place.” / “I know. But look at that! Fifty-nine cents for an avocado. Oh, well, what can one do. Give me one. After a while nobody will be able to eat in New York. Food is gold in this country. Give me two plantains. I won't even ask how much they cost because they never go for less than a quarter.”"
• "Her name is Helen Hum, but perhaps it’s more correct to say that her name is Helen Ho Hum – as in oh well, what can one do really?"
• "‘I’ve probably damaged his ego, that’s all.’ / ‘Oh definitely, Meredith, I’m certain of that. But I also believe that our Reed, the glamorous playboy, fell rather heavily for you. That’s always been my opinion. Oh well, what can one do . . . He finally met his Waterloo.’"
• "“Good God, the laziness! You should have continued on with the others, my good man of God! You should not have come back like a guanaco thirsty for the taste of chicha!” / “But there are no traces of the chapetones left anywhere! And the others will also return, just like me.” / “May the Heavens not allow such idleness! This would mean the miserable loss of the fruits of such a joyous victory. Oh well. . . . What can one do?! Tell me, at least, in some kind of orderly manner, what happened since you arrived in Oruro.”"