Learn English – what does the term “might as well” mean

meaning

Can anyone explain to me the usage of the words "might as well do something" for these two expressions. The definition on the web is very vague, it says

a phrase indicating that it is probably better to do something than not to do it.

1: If you are going all the way to [some place], you might as well pick [something] up.

2: If someone is still not happy, then they might as well just hang themselves.

Best Answer

This may be considered General Reference; but it's not easy to find in online dictionaries, so I might as well give it a stab.

macmillandictionary.com, in the ‘Phrases’ under might gives this:

might (just) as well INFORMAL
1. used to suggest doing something because you cannot think of anything better to do

We might as well sit down while we're waiting.
You might as well enjoy your money while you've got it.

It indicates an unenthusiastic acquiescence in someone else's proposition, or a less-than-wholehearted proposition of one's own. When I was young, the conversation might run like this:

A. Ya wanna go grab a beer?
B. (shrugging). Might as well. Can't dance, and it's too wet to plow.

The fullest form of the phrase (little heard now) indicates why it has this meaning: might just as well (do X) as not. That is, we're equally well-off doing X as not doing X.

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