made ends meet

USAGE SUMMARY

"made ends meet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an expression that is used to describe the ability to manage financially, usually with very limited resources, often just enough to satisfy basic needs. Example: Despite their limited income, the family managed to make ends meet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I made ends meet somehow.

The Guardian - Music

We made ends meet, but barely.

The Guardian

The family has just about made ends meet for generations.

The Guardian

It wasn't an ideal job, but it made ends meet.

The New York Times

How have Brooklyn's remaining black homeowners made ends meet?

The New Yorker

He made ends meet with occasional commissions and with a side business in photo restoration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1935 Seeger made ends meet by doing casual farm work.

The Guardian

Salé had made ends meet by working as a hostess in an Edmonton restaurant.

The New York Times - Books

We'd only have liver and stew but he made ends meet.

The Guardian - Sport

She made ends meet by waitressing and played in two other bands before Blondie was formed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Along the way, Christian had made ends meet by selling knives, administering pensions and tending bar in London.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made ends meet", ensure the context clearly indicates a struggle to manage financially. Avoid using it in situations where there is ample financial security.

Common error

Avoid using "made ends meet" when describing situations where someone is simply budgeting or saving money. This phrase is best suited for instances of genuine financial hardship or difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made ends meet" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes the ability to manage financially, often with limited resources sufficient only to satisfy basic needs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "made ends meet" is a common expression used to describe the act of managing one's finances with limited resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember that this expression is best suited for situations where there is genuine financial difficulty, rather than simple budgeting. Alternative phrases include "scrape by", "get by on a shoestring", and "live from hand to mouth", each with its unique nuance. Overall, "made ends meet" is a useful phrase for conveying financial struggles in an understandable manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get by on a shoestring

Emphasizes surviving on very little money, focusing on extreme frugality.

live from hand to mouth

Focuses on immediate survival with no savings or security.

scrape by

Highlights the difficulty in managing finances, suggesting a struggle to survive.

manage on a tight budget

Implies careful financial planning and restriction of spending.

keep afloat

Highlights the struggle to remain solvent and avoid financial ruin.

stretch every dollar

Stresses the effort to maximize the value of limited funds.

tighten one's belt

Suggests reducing spending due to financial constraints.

balance the books

Focuses on ensuring income equals expenses, often in a business context.

make do

Implies accepting less than ideal circumstances and managing with available resources.

economize

Focuses on reducing expenses and practicing thrift.

FAQs

How can I use "made ends meet" in a sentence?

You can use "made ends meet" to describe how someone manages to survive on a limited income, for example: "She "made ends meet" by working two part-time jobs."

What does it mean to say someone "made ends meet"?

Saying someone "made ends meet" means they managed to pay their bills and survive financially, even though they didn't have much money.

What can I say instead of "made ends meet"?

Alternatives to "made ends meet" include "scrape by", "get by", or "live from hand to mouth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "make ends meet" formal or informal?

"Make ends meet" is generally considered to be an informal phrase, but it can be used in neutral contexts like news articles or casual conversation.