get by

USAGE SUMMARY

"get by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is managing to survive or is getting by with the bare minimum. For example, "Although his salary is low, he is managing to get by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I get by.

Independent

Just trying to get by.

The New York Times

How did Dara get by?

The New Yorker

You can't get by it".

The New York Times

"Can one get by us?

The New York Times

They barely get by.

The Guardian

We get by.

The Guardian

"They'll get by".

The New York Times

"I'll get by.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We will get by.

The New York Times - Sports

I just couldn't get by that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get by" to describe how someone manages to live or achieve something despite limited resources or difficult circumstances. For example, "They managed to "get by" on a small income by being very frugal."

Common error

Avoid using "get by" when you want to express excelling or thriving. "Get by" implies a minimal level of success or survival, not exceeding expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get by" primarily functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the ability to manage, survive, or subsist, often with minimal resources or in challenging circumstances. As Ludwig AI underlines, it communicates a way of handling limitations effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get by" is a versatile phrase used to describe managing or surviving under difficult circumstances, often implying minimal resources or effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its prevalence in news, business, and academic contexts highlights its broad applicability. To ensure correct usage, remember that "get by" suggests a minimal level of success or survival, not excelling or thriving. Related phrases like "make ends meet" or "scrape by" can offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage to survive

Emphasizes the element of survival in difficult conditions.

make ends meet

Focuses on balancing income and expenses to avoid financial hardship.

scrape by

Highlights the difficulty and marginality of the existence.

eke out a living

Suggests a laborious and minimal way of earning a livelihood.

make do

Implies accepting and using limited resources effectively.

get along

Indicates managing with what is available, often in a social context.

subsist

A formal term for maintaining life, often under challenging conditions.

stay afloat

Suggests managing to avoid failure, especially in business or finance.

fend for oneself

Emphasizes self-reliance and independence in securing basic needs.

muddle through

Implies coping without a clear plan or great skill.

FAQs

How can I use "get by" in a sentence?

You can use "get by" to describe managing with limited resources, like "They can "get by" on a small salary" or surviving a difficult situation, such as "We'll "get by" this crisis".

What are some synonyms for "get by"?

Alternatives to "get by" include "make do", "scrape by", or "manage to survive", all suggesting different ways of handling limited resources or difficult situations.

Is it correct to say "getting by" instead of "get by"?

Yes, "getting by" is the present participle form and is perfectly correct in sentences like "It's hard "getting by" on minimum wage".

What's the difference between "get by" and "succeed"?

"Get by" implies managing with minimal resources or effort, whereas "succeed" suggests achieving a significant goal or surpassing expectations. "Get by" is about surviving, while "succeed" is about thriving.