They scrape along on a very small salary.
scrape along
idiomto barely be able to survive
After losing his job, he had to scrape along on his savings for several months.
Despite the harsh economic climate, the family managed to scrape along by selling handmade goods at the local market.
- 01
bow and scrape
To behave in a servile, obsequious, or excessively polite manner.
- 02
scrape someone off the ceiling
Used to describe the response to someone who is either experiencing great pain, who is very frightened, or is very elated.
- 03
scrape the bottom of the barrel
To settle for a poor option due to a lack or unavailability of anything more favorable.
- 04
scrape through
To marginally manage to progress.
- 05
scrape together
To collect, assemble or gather small amounts (especially of money), from various sources, with some difficulty