Idiom
make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover one's basic expenses.
Meanings
To earn enough money to pay for all of one's necessary living expenses without borrowing or accumulating debt.
Definition
This idiom means to earn or have just enough money to pay for your essential living costs, like housing, food, and utilities, without going into debt. It implies a struggle to balance income with necessary expenses. When someone makes ends meet, they are often living paycheck to paycheck with little to no disposable income.
Examples
- After losing her job, Maria struggled to make ends meet for several months.
- Even with both parents working full-time, it was still a challenge for the family to make ends meet.
- Many college students work part-time jobs just to make ends meet while studying.
- He always tried to save a little, but rising rent prices made it difficult to make ends meet.
- They were thankful for the extra help, which allowed them to make ends meet during the difficult period.
Common mistake
A common mistake is to use "make the ends meet" instead of "make ends meet."
Learn this in a path
More at B2 level
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More verb phrases
- step on someone's toes To avoid offending or interfering with someone's responsibilities or authority.
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- keep an eye on To watch someone or something continuously and carefully.
- read between the lines To understand the implicit meaning or unspoken message in what someone says or writes.
- go the extra mile To make a special additional effort beyond what is expected.