Scrape by Meaning in English
expression
ˈskɹeɪp/ /ˈbaɪ
SKRAYP BYE
skɹˈeɪp/ /bˈaɪ
sk-RAYP bye
Definition
To just manage to survive or succeed with only a very small amount of money, resources, or success.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often implies a struggle to meet needs. Common with money ('scrape by on $20 a week'), grades ('just scraped by'), or life situations. Not used for comfortable situations; always suggests difficulty.
Spanish: apenas arreglárselas - sobrevivir con lo justoPortuguese (BR): se virar - sobreviver por poucoPortuguese (PT): safar-se - sobreviver por poucoChinese (Simplified): 勉强度日 - 勉强过活Chinese (Traditional): 勉強度日 - 勉強過活Hindi: मुश्किल से गुज़ारा करनाArabic: يعيش بالكادBengali: কষ্টে চলা - সামান্য নিয়ে বেঁচে থাকাRussian: едва сводить концы с концами - с трудом выживатьJapanese: なんとかやっていく - ぎりぎり暮らすVietnamese: sống chật vật - xoay xở đủ sốngKorean: 겨우 먹고살다 - 가까스로 버티다Turkish: kıt kanaat geçinmek - zar zor geçinmekUrdu: بمشکل گزارا کرنا - جیسے تیسے گزارا کرناIndonesian: bertahan hidup seadanya - pas-pasan
Example Sentences
It's hard to scrape by on such a small salary.
basic
Many students scrape by while paying for college.
basic
We managed to scrape by until things got better.
basic
I can only scrape by if I skip eating out this month.
natural
He barely scraped by in his English class but passed in the end.
natural
Sometimes you just have to scrape by until a better job comes along.
natural