scrape by

USAGE SUMMARY

"scrape by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to manage with difficulty or to barely get by with something. For example, "We were able to scrape by on our limited budget this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You scrape by".

The New York Times

The Smiths scrape by, barely.

The New York Times

Everyone described a life of constantly trying to scrape by.

The New York Times

I don't know how I'd scrape by, either.

The New York Times

Once she meets Robert, they shoplift occasionally and scrape by.

The New York Times

"I've got to scrape by until the next check comes".

The New York Times

He does odd construction jobs to scrape by.

The New York Times

A reporter, who joined the Army, deserted, & was helped out on the scrape by the General.

The New Yorker

Thankfully, IDS's in-laws need not scrape by on the one title.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Americans are barely scraping by.

The Economist

Still, I scraped by.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrape by" when you want to convey the idea of managing to survive or achieve something with very limited resources. It often implies a struggle or a precarious situation. For example: "Despite the economic downturn, they managed to "scrape by".

Common error

Don't use "scrape by" when describing situations where someone is thriving or has ample resources. The phrase implies a lack or a struggle. For example, it would be inappropriate to say: "With their substantial inheritance, they were able to "scrape by"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scrape by" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. It describes the action of managing to survive or achieve something with minimal resources. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from reliable sources, showcasing its primary function in describing financial or resource-related struggles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scrape by" is an idiomatic verb phrase that means to barely manage to survive or achieve something with limited resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to convey a sense of difficulty or struggle in managing resources. Avoid using it in situations where resources are plentiful or someone is thriving. Alternatives include "get by" and "make ends meet". Understanding its nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely make ends meet

Focuses specifically on financial survival; more direct in its connotation of struggling with money.

eke out a living

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in earning enough to live.

get by

A more general term that can apply to various situations, not just financial ones.

scrape a living

Similar to "scrape by" but emphasizes the act of earning rather than just surviving.

just manage

Highlights the narrow margin of success or survival.

struggle to survive

Focuses on the hardship and difficulty of staying alive.

live hand to mouth

Implies a day-to-day existence with no savings or security.

scratch along

Suggests a basic, perhaps inadequate, level of provision.

muddle through

Suggests a less organized or efficient way of dealing with difficulties.

fend for oneself

Emphasizes self-reliance in a challenging situation.

FAQs

What does "scrape by" mean?

The phrase "scrape by" means to manage to live or achieve something with very little money or resources; to barely subsist or survive.

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

You can use "scrape by" to describe a situation where someone is barely managing to survive financially. For example, "Many families are struggling to "make ends meet" and "scrape by" on minimum wage".

Which is correct, "scrape by" or "scraping by"?

"Scrape by" is the base form of the idiom. "Scraping by" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses. For example, "They are "barely making ends meet" and scraping by".

What are some synonyms for "scrape by"?

Some synonyms for "scrape by" include "get by", "eke out a living", and "make ends meet".