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Meaning of scrape by
The primary meaning of "scrape by" is to barely manage to survive or succeed, often with difficulty.
Etymology of scrape by
The phrase "scrape by" is of obscure origin, but it is believed to have emerged in the mid-19th century.
The word "scrape" has its roots in Old French "escrapier" or "escriper," meaning to scratch or rub, and has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the act of scratching or rubbing something.
Over time, the phrase "scrape by" evolved to mean barely managing to get by or survive.
Synonyms
Definitions
- To manage to do something or to survive, but only just, and often with difficulty.
- * To earn or obtain just enough money to pay for the basic necessities of life.
Usage Examples
- The family had to scrape by on a limited budget after the father lost his job.
- * She managed to scrape by in her first year of college, but it was a struggle.
- * The small business was able to scrape by during the economic downturn, but it was a challenging time.