1 B2 idiomatic informal
to manage to succeed or avoid problems with little effort, often only just
"He never studies, but somehow he always skates by."
inseparable
skate by
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
to succeed or manage with little effort, often only just
In plain English
to get through without trying hard
What does "skate by" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to move past something on skates
Actually means
to get through without trying hard
Usage tip
Often slightly critical, suggesting laziness or undeserved success. Common in school and work contexts.
Words that pair with "skate by"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
exam class deadline on charm with luck barely
How to conjugate "skate by"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
skate by
I/you/we/they
3rd person
skates by
he/she/it
Past simple
skated by
yesterday
Past participle
skated by
have + pp
-ing form
skating by
continuous
Hear "skate by" in the wild
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Other ways to say "skate by"
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