makes it by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes it by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something succeeds in achieving a goal or reaching a destination, often with some difficulty or effort. Example: "Despite the challenges, she makes it by every day, managing her work and personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Its time limit makes it by default more easily digestible than YouTube (which rarely promotes its black stars).

The Guardian - Opinion

And it is Ginger & Rosa's lack of self-consciousness, despite its personal origins, that makes it by far her most mainstream to date.

The Guardian - Film

Rendered in a pale, Whistlerian palette, its flattened arrangement of geometric and natural forms makes it by any standard a fine example of early American Modernism.

The New York Times - Arts

This year he makes it by himself.

The Guardian

To state that NATO can provide stability for Europe as a whole makes it, by definition, no longer an alliance.

The Economist

"That makes it by definition easier to manage, because those issues are so big and require so much work".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

McCarthy made it by not making it.

The Guardian - Arts

I'll never make it by myself".

The Guardian - Books

He made it by collaging coloured vinyl.

The Guardian - Books

Make it "by either Islamist or secularist protesters".

The New York Times

He'd made it by a little over a pound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes it by", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of achieving a goal or surviving through specific means. Use it when you want to highlight how someone or something managed to succeed despite challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "makes it by" when a more straightforward term like "succeeds" or "achieves" would be clearer. "Makes it by" implies a certain level of difficulty or struggle, so ensure that this nuance is appropriate for the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

"Makes it by" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of managing to succeed or survive, often implying difficulty or a narrow margin. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "makes it by" is a phrasal verb used to express managing to succeed or survive, often despite facing difficulties. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's grammatical correctness and applicability in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While its usage frequency is uncommon, understanding its nuances helps in accurately conveying the intended meaning. For alternative expressions, consider options like "gets through" or "manages to survive" for similar implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gets through

Focuses on overcoming difficulties and completing a task or period.

manages to survive

Emphasizes the effort required to remain afloat or avoid failure.

succeeds in reaching

Highlights the successful attainment of a specific destination or objective.

achieves by means of

Focuses on the methods or resources employed to accomplish something.

scrape through

Implies a narrow escape or success achieved with minimal resources.

eats by

Indicates the way food and livelihood are obtained.

ekes out

Suggests a meager existence or limited success achieved through thriftiness.

scrapes by

Focuses on the bare minimum resources needed to exist.

endures through

Implies a long-lasting achievement after struggling

gets along

Emphasis is on the ability to manage everyday situations

FAQs

How can I use "makes it by" in a sentence?

You can use "makes it by" to describe how someone manages to achieve a goal or survive, often with difficulty. For example, "Despite the challenges, she "makes it by" every day, managing her work and personal life."

What can I say instead of "makes it by"?

You can use alternatives like "gets through", "manages to survive", or "succeeds in reaching" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "makes it by" or "make it by"?

The correctness depends on the subject. "Makes it by" is used for singular subjects (e.g., he, she, it), while "make it by" is used for plural subjects (e.g., they, we). For example, "He "makes it by" on a small income" versus "They make it by working multiple jobs."

What's the difference between "makes it by" and "scrapes by"?

Both phrases imply managing to survive or succeed with difficulty, but "scrapes by" suggests an even greater level of hardship or barely managing to get by on very limited resources, while "makes it by" simply implies difficulty in achieving something.