eke out

British  

verb

1. to make (a supply) last, esp by frugal use

   they eked out what little food was left

2. to support (existence) with difficulty and effort

3. to add to (something insufficient), esp with effort

   to eke out an income with evening work

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eke out Idioms  

1. Supplement, make last, as in The survivors eked out their food and water until they were rescued . [Late 1500s]

2. Get with great difficulty or effort, as in The soil was terrible but they managed to eke out a living by rotating crops . [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

"All I kept thinking about was how I was going to eke out the money that I'd still got. Then I kept thinking 'I'm not going to get this back, I know I'm not.'"

From BBC

For migrants, the housing, while at times imperfect, has provided welcome respite as they begin to eke out new lives in a frenetic city.

From Seattle Times

The euro's reaction to the decision was fairly muted, though it managed to eke out a 0.3% gain on Thursday.

From Reuters

But Budskaya and her daughter need water to cling on and survive, to eke out another day in the ruins.

From Washington Times

But Budskaya and her daughter need water to cling on and to survive, to eke out another day in the ruins.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• get by