barely making ends meet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely making ends meet" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to barely have enough money to cover one's basic expenses. It can be used to describe a difficult financial situation or struggle. Example: After losing his job, John was barely making ends meet with his part-time job and had to cut back on expenses to make ends meet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We were barely making ends meet," he added.

The New York Times

We were barely making ends meet, living in crappy apartments".

The Guardian - Books

Scott was doing better, though he was barely making ends meet.

The Washington Post

Other clients range from Hispanic day laborers to people barely making ends meet.

The New York Times

Here is what this can mean for a family: Gary and Sheila Clayton live in Burlington, barely making ends meet.

The New York Times

Some people would starve and many others would live uncomfortable lives because they are barely making ends meet as it is with rent and the other bills.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Why, they can barely make ends meet.

The New York Times

"You can barely make ends meet now," she said.

The New York Times

She makes about €1,100 a month, or $1,400, and said she barely makes ends meet.

The New York Times

Many can barely make ends meet as it is," she said.

The Guardian

The couple could barely make ends meet, despite his working 60 hours a week and teaching some night classes.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about economic struggles, use the phrase "barely making ends meet" to convey the idea of a family or individual struggling to cover basic needs without extra comforts. For example, you might say, "Many families in the community are barely making ends meet due to job losses."

Common error

Avoid using "barely making ends meet" to describe temporary financial constraints or lifestyle choices. This phrase should accurately depict a continuous struggle to afford essential expenses, not a temporary adjustment or a preference for frugality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely making ends meet" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to describe the financial condition of individuals or families who have just enough income to cover their basic expenses, with little or nothing left over. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely making ends meet" is a common way to describe a challenging financial situation where an individual or family is struggling to cover their essential expenses. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used in written English. Analysis of the search results indicates that the phrase is most frequently used in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a continuous struggle to afford essential expenses and not a temporary adjustment or lifestyle choice. Some good alternatives are ""struggling to get by"", "living hand to mouth", or "scraping by". Be aware about this phrase to avoid misrepresenting someone's situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scraping by

Suggests a minimal level of sustenance and survival, often with implications of resourcefulness in difficult times.

living hand to mouth

Emphasizes the immediacy of needing to acquire resources for survival, suggesting very little or no savings.

finding it difficult to pay for basic necessities

Explicitly states the challenge of affording essential items like food and shelter.

struggling to get by

Focuses on the general difficulty of managing daily life with limited resources; more general than specifying financial aspects.

in dire financial straits

Emphasizes the severity of the financial hardship experienced.

hardly able to survive financially

Highlights the financial aspect of survival, indicating a precarious situation.

on the breadline

Implies being at the very edge of poverty, close to needing public assistance.

operating on a shoestring budget

Focuses on managing limited funds, often implying creativity and frugality.

having trouble paying the bills

Specifically addresses the difficulty of meeting regular financial obligations.

experiencing financial hardship

A more formal way of expressing financial difficulties, often used in official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "barely making ends meet" in a sentence?

You can use "barely making ends meet" to describe a situation where someone has just enough money to cover their essential expenses. For instance, "After the factory closed, many workers were "struggling to get by" and "hardly able to survive financially", "barely making ends meet" on unemployment benefits".

What are some alternatives to "barely making ends meet"?

Alternatives to "barely making ends meet" include phrases like "living hand to mouth", "scraping by", or "finding it difficult to pay for basic necessities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "barely make ends meet"?

Yes, "barely make ends meet" is correct. The phrase can be used with different verb tenses to fit the context. For example, "They "can barely make ends meet" on their current salaries".

What's the difference between "barely making ends meet" and "frugal"?

"Barely making ends meet" describes a state of financial hardship where someone is struggling to cover their essential expenses. "Frugal" refers to a lifestyle choice where someone actively avoids unnecessary spending. Someone who is frugal may have enough money but chooses to save it, while someone "barely making ends meet" has very little money to begin with.