get by
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by
Meanings
Manage to live or cope with just enough resources
Why “by”? BY means you have just enough to manage. It is not a lot, but it meets the basic need.
“We get by on a small income.”
“Omar gets by with an old laptop.”
Memory hook
You just slip by — past the difficulty — with barely enough.
Common mistake
I can get by my small salary.
I can get by on my small salary.
Use on for the thing you survive with.
Natural collocations
The word partners “get by” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
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; Reach the other side of a place or barrier
get ahead
Same base verb: get
Make progress in life or career; Do something in advance; Become more successful or advanced than someone else
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 at
Same base verb: get
Criticise someone repeatedly or unfairly; Suggest or mean something indirectly; Reach or gain access to something
get away
Same base verb: get
Escape from a place or situation; Take a short holiday; Avoid being caught or punished for something
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