barely managing

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely managing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that you are able to do something just enough to get by, despite having difficulty. Example: "He was barely managing to keep the business afloat, but it was becoming too much of a burden to continue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

When I arrived I realised the manager was barely managing the staff, there was low capacity and one of my colleagues was really under-delivering.

The Guardian - Money

Many families are barely managing to make ends meet.

The New York Times

Credit conditions in southern Europe deteriorated, with Greece barely managing to avoid default.

The New York Times

He was forced into exile and lived in many countries, barely managing to survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And: Domestic violence is a problem we are barely managing – but we need to end it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Letelier reckons that most of the country's 150 exporters are barely managing to cover costs at the moment.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

They barely manage.

The Guardian - Books

The boys barely managed their joy.

The New Yorker

Robots just barely manage to navigate a desert autonomously.

The Economist

Sometimes even with��sunglasses you can barely manage.

The New Yorker

Olga barely manages to earn a living selling costume jewelry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely managing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being managed and the nature of the difficulty involved. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "barely managing" when the situation is not genuinely challenging. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility. Instead, opt for simpler terms if the difficulty is not substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely managing" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a verb or noun phrase to indicate a state of minimal success or significant difficulty in achieving a certain outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is both correct and common in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely managing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where success is achieved with difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence in English writing. Its use is characterized by a neutral register and a focus on conveying struggle or precariousness. Common alternatives include "just coping" and "scraping by". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When writing with "barely managing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being managed and avoid overstating the severity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about managing

Highlights being at the limit of one's ability to manage.

managing with difficulty

Directly replaces 'barely' with 'with difficulty', retaining the core meaning.

barely surviving

Shifts the focus to survival, suggesting a more dire situation.

hardly getting by

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving even minimal success.

only just coping

Adds emphasis to the narrow margin of success in coping.

just coping

Focuses on the act of coping rather than managing, suggesting a more passive struggle.

scraping by

Implies surviving with very little resources or effort.

squeaking by

Similar to scraping by, but with a sense of near failure.

making ends meet with difficulty

Specifically refers to financial survival, highlighting the struggle.

on the edge

Highlights how close someone is to failing.

FAQs

How can I use "barely managing" in a sentence?

You can use "barely managing" to describe a situation where someone is just able to cope with something, like: "He was "barely managing" to keep up with the workload."

What are some alternatives to "barely managing"?

Alternatives include "just coping", "scraping by", or "hardly getting by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "barely managing" or "just managing"?

"Barely managing" emphasizes the difficulty more strongly than "just managing". The best choice depends on how much you want to stress the struggle.

What does it mean to say someone is "just about managing"?

"Just about managing" is similar to "barely managing" and implies that someone is at the limit of their ability to cope or succeed. It's commonly used in discussions about financial stability.