make ends meet
Say it: make ends MEET /ˌmeɪk ˌɛndz ˈmiːt/ · idiom
What “make ends meet” means
Earn just enough money to pay for basic needs.
More precisely: To earn just enough money to cover your basic expenses.
Example: “With rent rising, lots of young workers struggle to make ends meet.”
When to use it
When talking about having enough money for essentials such as food and housing. Common, sympathetic language about tight budgets.
Similar words
get by, scrape by, stay afloat
Quick check
Your wages cover rent, food and heating, but there is almost nothing left afterwards. Which phrase fits?
live beyond your means or make ends meet?
Show the answer
make ends meet
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “make ends meet”