press into service

Translations
задействовать в работе
When the main computer broke, an old laptop was pressed into service.
Когда основной компьютер сломался, в работу был задействован старый ноутбук.
Definitions
To use something or someone for a purpose that they were not originally intended for, often in an urgent or improvised situation.
Words
press

verb
привлечь
into

preposition
в
service

noun
службу