been getting by
been getting by
Living with the minimum amount of necessities required to survive; barely making ends meet. The phrase is often used in response to questions about one's wellbeing. Ever since my husband lost his job, we've been just getting by.
See also: been, by, get
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
(I've) been getting by.
Inf. a response to a greeting inquiry into one's well-being indicating that one is having a hard time surviving or that things could be much better. (See also (I'm) just getting by.) John: How are things? Jane: Oh, I've been getting by. Sue: How are you doing? Mary: Been getting by. Things could be better.
See also: been, by, get
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- just getting by
- beck and call
- How long is a piece of string?
- how/what about...?
- how about
- (one's) best foot forward
- best foot forward
- eggs is eggs
- short hairs
- going, going, gone