meager but enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meager but enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the amount or quality of something is minimal, yet sufficient for a particular purpose. Example: "The resources available for the project were meager but enough to get us started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The output was meager, but it was enough for Mike Mussina, who won for the fifth start in a row with six and a third efficient innings.

The New York Times

Start-up money came from Apple: first $60,000, then another $40,000 -- meager sums by today's standards, but enough to finance a modest weekly Web zine that was primarily about books.

The New York Times - Magazine

From their meager but collective efforts, they assembled enough capital to begin an enterprise that employed many of them.

Harvard Business Review

But enough is enough.

The New York Times

But enough! Enough!

The New Yorker

But enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

But enough theology.

The New Yorker

But enough pessimism.

Independent

But, enough of failure.

The New York Times - Sports

But enough reading.

The New York Times - Arts

But enough of that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meager but enough" to precisely describe situations where resources or qualities are limited but still achieve the desired outcome. It is best used when emphasizing resourcefulness or unexpected success despite limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "meager but enough" when the 'meager' aspect overshadows the 'enough'. Ensure that the sufficiency is genuinely evident, or else consider alternatives that emphasize the lack.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meager but enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its qualities. Ludwig AI validates this use with examples showing how it qualifies resources or efforts, emphasizing a surprising sufficiency despite limitations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meager but enough" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase employed to describe situations where limited resources or effort surprisingly achieve a sufficient outcome. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it effectively highlights the contrast between scarcity and adequacy. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize resourcefulness or unexpected success despite limitations. While "limited but sufficient" and "scarce yet adequate" offer formal alternatives, the effectiveness of "meager but enough" lies in its succinct conveyance of surprising sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited but sufficient

Emphasizes the restriction in quantity while highlighting adequacy for a specific purpose.

Scarce yet adequate

Highlights the rarity or deficiency, but stresses the satisfactory nature for a particular need.

Minimal but satisfactory

Focuses on the small quantity being still acceptable.

Small but adequate

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a limited amount being sufficient.

Modest yet sufficient

Implies a humble or unassuming quantity that nonetheless fulfills the requirements.

Barely sufficient

Highlights that the quantity is only just enough.

Just enough

Directly communicates that the amount is adequate without being abundant.

Sufficient, though limited

Reverses the order of emphasis to place sufficiency first, followed by the limitation.

Adequate despite being scarce

Explicitly states the adequacy in contrast to the scarcity.

Enough, though not abundant

Emphasizes the sufficiency but clarifies the lack of abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "meager but enough" in a sentence?

Use "meager but enough" to describe a situation where limited resources or efforts surprisingly lead to a satisfactory result. For example, "Their initial funding was meager but enough to launch the project successfully."

What's a formal alternative to "meager but enough"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "limited but sufficient" or "scarce yet adequate" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "meager but enough"?

While grammatically correct, "meager but enough" may not fit every context. It's most effective when highlighting a contrast between limited means and achieved success. In situations where the 'meager' aspect is overwhelming, consider emphasizing the deficiency instead.

What does "meager but enough" imply about the outcome?

"Meager but enough" implies that the outcome, while perhaps not optimal, is satisfactory despite the limited resources. It suggests resourcefulness or a pleasant surprise given the circumstances.