just getting by

just getting by

Living with the minimum amount of necessities required to survive; barely making ends meet. Ever since my husband lost his job, we're just getting by. Our business is only just getting by as it is. If they increase taxes, I don't know how we'll be able to keep our doors open.
See also: by, get, just
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(I'm) just getting by.

an expression indicating that one is just surviving financially or otherwise. Bob: How you doing, Tom? Tom: Just getting by, Bob. "I wish I could get a better job," remarked Tom. "I'm just getting by as it is."
See also: by, get, just
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • been getting by
  • make buckle and tongue meet
  • live by one's wits
  • live by wits
  • live by your wits
  • live by/on (one's) wits
  • live by/on your wits
  • hand-to-mouth
  • bug-out bag
  • enough to keep body and soul together
References in periodicals archive
Someone saw something in you, and although that someone may be long gone, and although you haven't used whatever it was for years, you'd better resurrect it--or, more likely, develop an entirely new, contemporary version of it--because no longer is "just getting by" acceptable.
Hard truths for the holiday