squeak through

USAGE SUMMARY

"squeak through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that barely succeeds. For example, "He squeaked through final exams by the skin of his teeth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If enough of them stuck with him to let Labour squeak through, enough abandoned him to issue a stern warning.

The New Yorker

They see him as the spoiler in 2010 who allowed Mr. LePage to squeak through, though Mr. Cutler said Tuesday that the Democrats, who barely mustered 12 percent of the vote in the Senate race last year, are the spoilers.

The New York Times

Now the odds are rising that the president may squeak through with as many jobs at the end of his term as at the start, or almost as many.

The New York Times

If so, the bill would squeak through.

The Economist

"I was able to squeak through.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Maybe I can squeak through another summer," the man says.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was pivotal in the goal that squared the contest and enabled Barça to squeak through.

The New York Times - Sports

By day two of the tour, Kaine was struggling to squeak through his remarks.

The Guardian

Why should such important nominees be able to squeak through with a bare majority?

The New York Times

The Slovak will miss the next game should his side somehow squeak through.

The Guardian - Sport

If Obama's strategy works, though, and the banks squeak through reasonably intact, that reformist pressure may well dissipate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone; "squeak through" can sometimes sound informal, so adjust your language accordingly for formal contexts.

Common error

While "squeak through" is widely understood, it may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "narrowly succeed" or "barely achieve" /s/narrowly+succeed.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "squeak through" primarily functions as a verb expressing the action of succeeding by a narrow margin. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing how bills "pass" or how individuals "manage to pass" exams.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "squeak through" describes a situation where someone or something barely succeeds. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. Although its register leans towards neutral to informal, it effectively communicates the narrow margin of success. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "narrowly succeed". Keep in mind to use "squeak through" to show there's an element of luck or close call in the action you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely succeed

This phrase directly states that success was achieved by a narrow margin, emphasizing the minimal effort or luck involved.

succeed by a hair's breadth

This idiom conveys the idea of a success achieved by a very small margin, similar to "by the skin of one's teeth".

come through narrowly

This alternative emphasizes the closeness of the outcome, indicating a precarious situation that resolved in success.

get by by the skin of one's teeth

This idiom highlights the narrowness of the success and the high risk of failure.

pass by the skin of one's teeth

A variation of the "skin of one's teeth" idiom, emphasizing the narrow margin of passing or succeeding.

scrape by

This alternative suggests managing to survive or succeed with very little resources or effort. It is less specific about the margin of success.

slip through

This phrase emphasizes the element of chance or unexpectedness in achieving success, suggesting a fortunate outcome.

just manage

A simple and direct alternative, highlighting the minimal effort or resources required for success.

eke out a victory

This alternative is often used in the context of competitions or elections, indicating a hard-fought and closely contested win.

limp across the finish line

This idiom is particularly apt when describing the final stages of a challenge, emphasizing exhaustion and struggle.

FAQs

What does "squeak through" mean?

The phrase "squeak through" means to succeed at something but only by a very narrow margin. It often implies that the success was achieved with difficulty or with a significant element of luck.

How can I use "squeak through" in a sentence?

You can use "squeak through" in sentences like, "The bill managed to "pass" committee, but only "squeak through" because of one unexpected vote," or "I managed to "squeak through" the exam with a passing grade after a late night of studying."

What can I say instead of "squeak through"?

Alternatives to "squeak through" include phrases like "barely succeed", "scrape by", or "narrowly succeed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "squeak through" appropriate for formal writing?

While "squeak through" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for alternatives like "narrowly succeed" or "just manage to" for a more professional tone.