scrape by
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To have just barely enough money to live — not comfortable, but not homeless either.
Literal meaning: To scrape (barely touch a surface) as you pass by — extended to mean barely managing to get through.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To have just barely enough money to live on, with nothing left over.
"They were scraping by on two part-time jobs while looking for better work."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To pass an exam, test, or challenge with the minimum required score or effort.
"I only scraped by on the driving test — I made three minor errors."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common in everyday speech. Often followed by 'on' ('scrape by on minimum wage'). Can also mean to pass an exam or test with a very low score. Widely used in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
wages income pension budget exam test
Forms
Base
scrape by
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrapes by
he/she/it
Past simple
scraped by
yesterday
Past participle
scraped by
have + pp
-ing form
scraping by
continuous
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Synonyms
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