get by
/ɡɛt baɪ/to manage to live or survive with just enough resources
With a small salary, he gets by but can't save much.
He manages to live on a small salary but doesn't have extra money.
Often used to describe managing with limited means.
to cope or deal with a situation, often with minimal effort
She gets by in French, but she's not fluent.
She manages to communicate in French, though not perfectly.
Can refer to managing in a language or situation without full mastery.
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💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning can vary slightly depending on whether 'get by' is used with 'on' or 'with'.
⚡Gold Rule
Informal Use
'Get by' is informal and often used in casual conversation.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'getten' (to obtain) + 'by' (past). Originally meant to pass or move past, later evolved to mean managing with minimal resources.
📝Usage Notes
Common in informal contexts to describe managing with limited resources or effort. Often used with 'on' or 'with' to specify what one is managing with.