barely scrape by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely scrape by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is managing to survive or get by with very little, often in terms of finances or resources. Example: "After losing his job, he had to cut back on expenses and was only able to barely scrape by each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They barely scrape by even as, in the cities, over two decades of economic growth has forged a car-buying middle class.

The Economist

What becomes of students who are "undesirable" in most principals' eyes?The high-school children I teach range from super-achievers to "flunkies" who barely scrape by.

The Economist

Ron, the dapper gentleman standing in a hallway, is a former war hero who can barely scrape by on his Air Force pension.

Independent

She may finally be earning enough to barely scrape by while still making the payments for the first time since she graduated, at least until interest rates rise and the payments on her loans with variable rates spiral up.

The New York Times

There are currently three million uninsured people in New York State, including those who earn too much to qualify for government-subsidized insurance, and others who barely scrape by but lack the immigration documentation to receive public health benefits.

The New York Times

Although the bookshop and Mansalva press barely scrape by, they have been in business for 15 years now, a testament to the unquenchable thirst of the city for books.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

After six years of "barely scraping by", Brook Drumm, a California-based web designer, had accumulated about $50,000 in credit-card debt.

The Guardian - Tech

Americans are barely scraping by.

The Economist

They fend for themselves, barely scraping by.

The New York Times

But on her low wages, she is barely scraping by.

The New York Times

Mr. Avlonitis says he is barely scraping by himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely scrape by", ensure the context clearly indicates a struggle with limited resources, typically financial, but it can also be used in other contexts where resources are scarce.

Common error

Avoid using "barely scrape by" in situations where the difficulty is minor or temporary. This phrase is most impactful when describing persistent or significant hardship.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "barely scrape by" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of managing to survive or exist with minimal resources. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely scrape by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiomatic expression that effectively conveys a struggle with limited resources. As Ludwig confirms, it is usable in written English, primarily found in news and media contexts. It is important to use this phrase when you are trying to convey the real struggle in difficult situations and not to use it to describe a minor difficulty. The phrase is frequently used in reputable news and media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just manage to get by

Emphasizes the act of managing, implying a minimal level of success.

scrape a bare existence

Highlights the minimal and basic nature of existence.

eke out a living

Focuses on the effortful process of obtaining a livelihood, often against the odds.

barely subsist

Focuses on the act of maintaining life at a minimal level.

make ends meet with difficulty

Highlights the challenge of balancing income and expenses.

get by on next to nothing

Focuses on limited resources.

live hand to mouth

Suggests a precarious existence where one's immediate needs are barely met.

fend for oneself with difficulty

Emphasizes self-reliance and the challenges involved in providing for oneself.

live on a shoestring

Emphasizes living frugally and economically.

struggle to survive

Emphasizes the element of struggle and the fight for survival.

FAQs

How can I use "barely scrape by" in a sentence?

Use "barely scrape by" to describe a situation where someone is managing to survive or get by with very little. For instance: "After the factory closed, many families in the town could "just get by", but others "barely scrape by"".

What does "barely scrape by" mean?

The phrase "barely scrape by" means to manage to live or survive with very little money or resources. It implies a state of constant struggle and near-poverty, where basic needs are only just being met.

Which is correct, "barely scrape by" or "barely scraping by"?

"Barely scrape by" is the standard idiomatic expression. "Barely scraping by" can be used as a continuous form of the verb, but it is less common. For example: "They are "barely scraping by" since the pandemic started".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "barely scrape by"?

Some alternatives include "just manage to get by", "eke out a living", "make ends meet with difficulty", or "live hand to mouth".