What does "get by" mean?

Manage to live or cope with just enough resources. For example: We get by on a small income.

get by

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by

Meanings

Why “by”? BY means you have just enough to keep going. It is not a lot, but it reaches the line you need.

“We get by on a small income.”

We manage to live on a small income, but not comfortably.

“Omar gets by with an old laptop.”

Omar manages with an old laptop, but not comfortably.

Don't confuse with

Get by means manage to live or cope with just enough resources. Get about means move around or travel in general.

Test yourself

“We get by on a small income.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

get about

A contrast learners often mix up

Move around or travel in general

scrape by

Same by pattern: just enough

Manage to live with great difficulty on minimal resources

get across

Same base verb: get

Successfully communicate an idea

get ahead

Same base verb: get

Make progress in life or career; Do something in advance

get along

Same base verb: get

Have a friendly relationship with someone; Manage in a particular situation

get around

Same base verb: get

Avoid a rule or difficulty; Travel or move about; (of news) become widely known; Find time to do something

get away

Same base verb: get

Escape from a place or situation; Go on a short holiday; Avoid being caught or punished for something

get back

Same base verb: get

Return to a place; Take revenge on someone; Arrive home or return; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone

Practice “get by” in Sink In

Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.