to make ends meet

USAGE SUMMARY

"to make ends meet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to barely managing to make enough money to pay for one's basic necessities. For example: "My family has been struggling financially for years, barely able to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They struggled to make ends meet.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's hard to make ends meet".

The New York Times

"Is it easier to make ends meet?

The New York Times

Such families struggle to make ends meet.

The New York Times

"Have to make ends meet".

The New York Times

I teach to make ends meet.

The New York Times - Sports

It's always tough to make ends meet.

The New York Times

We have to make ends meet.

The Guardian

It was hard to make ends meet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

People are struggling to make ends meet.

The Guardian

"You cannot make enough to make ends meet," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to make ends meet", ensure the context clearly indicates financial difficulty or struggle. Avoid using it in situations where financial stability is evident.

Common error

Avoid using "to make ends meet" when describing minor budgetary adjustments. This phrase implies a significant struggle to cover basic expenses, not just cutting back on non-essential items.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to make ends meet" is as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically functioning as an infinitive expressing purpose or describing a state of financial difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to make ends meet" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes the act of managing one's finances, often with difficulty, to cover basic expenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic analyses, primarily within the news and media. When using the phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects financial strain, differentiating it from simple budgeting or breaking even. Alternatives like "to get by financially" or "to scrape by" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get by financially

Focuses on the ability to manage finances adequately, shifting from 'meeting' needs to 'getting by'.

to scrape by

Suggests barely managing to survive financially, highlighting the difficulty.

to live within one's means

Emphasizes aligning spending with available income, highlighting budgetary constraint.

to keep one's head above water

Suggests managing finances in a difficult situation to avoid failure or ruin, adding a sense of struggle.

to manage on a shoestring

Highlights managing with very limited funds, focusing on the frugality required.

to stretch every dollar

Focuses on maximizing the value of each dollar spent, emphasizing resourcefulness.

to keep the wolf from the door

An idiomatic expression meaning to avoid starvation or ruin, adding a sense of threat.

to subsist on little

Emphasizes surviving with minimal resources, focusing on the basic level of sustenance.

to eke out a living

Implies a laborious effort to earn a basic income, emphasizing the hard work involved.

to balance the budget

Focuses specifically on ensuring income equals expenses, highlighting financial planning.

FAQs

How can I use "to make ends meet" in a sentence?

You can use "to make ends meet" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to pay for basic necessities, such as "Many families are working multiple jobs to make ends meet".

What are some alternatives to "to make ends meet"?

Alternatives include "to get by financially", "to scrape by", or "to live within one's means".

Is it appropriate to use "to make ends meet" in formal writing?

Yes, "to make ends meet" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it is a common and well-understood idiom. However, ensure that the tone of your writing aligns with the gravity of the financial situation you are describing.

What's the difference between "to make ends meet" and "to break even"?

"To make ends meet" implies struggling to cover basic expenses, while "to break even" means that income equals expenses without necessarily implying financial difficulty. "To break even" focuses more on business or project profitability.