get by

US /ɡɛt baɪ/

UK /ɡet bai/

A1

phrasal verb

  • To perform well enough to continue, but only just
  • To overtake or go in front of someone
  • To just manage in a difficult financial situation

Examples

Eliminating the tax credit, she argued, would hurt single moms trying to get by.

Fearful that many will wind up dependent on state aid to get by, California Sen.