eke out

USAGE SUMMARY

"eke out" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to mean to make something last longer by using it sparingly or supplementing it with something else. For example, "She was able to eke out her savings for the next six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will Mark Kirk eke out a victory?

The Economist

They thought they might eke out Michigan.

The New York Times

He knows what it means to "eke out," for example.

The New Yorker

People are just trying to eke out a living.

The New York Times

He needed a masterful stroke just to eke out par.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet he's struggling to eke out a living from music.

The Guardian - Music

That we allow farmers to eke out supplies.

The Guardian

Management says tbt* is about to eke out a profit.

The New York Times

Still, the Vikings will eke out a victory.

The New York Times - Sports

It's tough for them to eke out small victories.

The New York Times - Books

North Koreans certainly struggle to eke out a living, but they are not starving.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eke out" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or effort involved in obtaining or supplementing something, especially when resources are limited.

Common error

Avoid using "eke out" when simply describing supplementation or addition without the element of difficulty or scarcity. Other words like "supplement" or "add to" may be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eke out" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used transitively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It signifies the act of making something, usually a resource or livelihood, last longer or be sufficient despite limited availability. Examples in Ludwig show it used with 'a living', 'supplies', 'a profit', and 'a victory'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eke out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to manage to live on meager resources or to make something last longer by using it sparingly. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is predominantly found in journalistic contexts, as shown by the numerous examples from reputable news sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. The phrase carries a neutral register and is effective for conveying situations of scarcity and the effort to overcome them. Related phrases include "scrape by", "make do", and "supplement", each with slightly different connotations. When using "eke out", remember to emphasize the element of difficulty or scarcity to ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplement

Focuses on adding to something to make it sufficient, differing from "eke out" which implies doing so with difficulty.

get by

Implies managing to survive or cope with a difficult situation, often with minimal resources.

scrape by

Highlights the struggle to survive or manage with very little, similar to one sense of "eke out".

make ends meet

Specifically addresses managing income to cover expenses, primarily in financial contexts.

make do

Emphasizes accepting something less than ideal and using it adequately. It implies resourcefulness but less struggle than "eke out".

stretch resources

Focuses on using available resources efficiently, suggesting planning and careful management.

live frugally

Describes a lifestyle of avoiding waste and unnecessary spending, which is a method to "eke out" one's resources.

husband resources

Similar to 'stretch resources' but suggests greater care and thrift in managing resources.

economize

Highlights reducing expenditure, more specific to financial contexts than the broader "eke out".

conserve

Focuses on preserving and protecting resources, often in environmental contexts, but can apply to other resources as well.

FAQs

How can I use "eke out" in a sentence?

The phrase "eke out" is typically used to describe managing to live on meager resources or to make something last longer by using it sparingly. For example, "He managed to "eke out" a living by selling handmade crafts."

What can I say instead of "eke out"?

Alternatives to "eke out" include "scrape by", "make do", or "supplement", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "eke out" in formal writing?

Yes, "eke out" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when you want to emphasize the difficulty or effort involved in managing limited resources. It is commonly found in "news media" and business contexts.

What's the difference between "eke out" and "supplement"?

"Supplement" generally means to add to something to make it more complete or adequate, while "eke out" implies doing so with difficulty or when resources are scarce. For example, you might "supplement" your income with a side job, but you would ""eke out"" your savings during a period of unemployment.