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Translation

scrape along

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Explanation of "Scrape Along"

Definition: "Scrape along" is a verb phrase that means to manage to get by or survive, often in difficult circumstances. It implies that someone is just barely making it, especially when it comes to finances or living situations.

Usage Instructions
  • Context: Use "scrape along" when talking about situations where someone is struggling to make ends meet or is living on a very tight budget.
  • Form: It can be used in various tenses, depending on the situation (e.g., "I scraped along last year," "We are scraping along now").
Example Sentences
  1. "After losing my job, I had to scrape along for a few months until I found a new one."
  2. "With the rising cost of living, many families are just scraping along."
Advanced Usage
  • In more advanced contexts, you can use "scrape along" to describe non-financial situations, such as relationships or projects that are barely functioning or progressing.
    • Example: "Their partnership is just scraping along after the recent disagreements."
Word Variants
  • Scraped along: Past tense
  • Scraping along: Present continuous tense
Different Meanings
  • The phrase "scrape" alone can mean to remove something from a surface (like scraping dirt off a table), but in "scrape along," it focuses on the struggle of survival rather than physical action.
Synonyms
  • Get by: Manage with limited resources.
  • Squeak by: Just manage to succeed or survive.
  • Make ends meet: Earn just enough money to cover expenses.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
  • Squeak by: Similar to "scrape along," it means to barely manage or succeed.
    • Example: "I barely squeaked by in my exams this semester."
  • Get by: To manage in life with limited resources.
    • Example: "I can get by on very little money if I need to."
Conclusion

"Scrape along" is a useful phrase when discussing financial struggles or challenging life situations.

Verb
  1. manage one's existence barely
    • I guess I can squeeze by on this lousy salary

Synonyms

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