Phrasal verb
scrape by
Definition
phrasal verb. to manage to live or survive when you have very little money or just enough of what you need.
phrasal verb. to manage to survive or maintain a basic existence with minimal financial resources. The verb is intransitive, though it often takes a prepositional phrase starting with 'on' to indicate the source of income.
Examples
“They have very little money and just manage to scrape by.”
“After he lost his job, the family had to scrape by on his wife's small part-time salary for several months.”
“While the tech giants reported record profits, many independent contractors were left to scrape by as the gig economy faced a sudden and sharp contraction.”
Examples
simple
“They have very little money and just manage to scrape by.”
contextual
“After he lost his job, the family had to scrape by on his wife's small part-time salary for several months.”
complex
“While the tech giants reported record profits, many independent contractors were left to scrape by as the gig economy faced a sudden and sharp contraction.”
Usage
usually used when talking about money, but can also refer to passing a test with the lowest possible grade.
Teaching tip
use the image of 'scraping' the bottom of a barrel to help students remember that this means having the absolute minimum.
Pitfall
He scrapes by his pension.
He scrapes by on his pension.
the preposition 'on' must be used to connect the verb to the source of money or resources.
Phrasal verb
Particles
by
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
scrape + by
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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