been getting by

been getting by

Living with the minimum amount of necessities required to survive; barely making ends meet. The phrase is often used in response to questions about one's well-being. Ever since my husband lost his job, we've been just getting by. Our business has been getting by, but if they increase taxes, I don't know how we'll be able to keep our doors open. We've been getting by since we had to shutter the warehouse, but we don't have much left in savings at this point.

See also: been, by, get

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(I've) been getting by.

Inf. a response to a greeting inquiry into one's well-being indicating that one is having a hard time surviving or that things could be much better. (See also (I'm) just getting by.) John: How are things? Jane: Oh, I've been getting by. Sue: How are you doing? Mary: Been getting by. Things could be better.

See also: been, by, get

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.