got by
Made do somehow
Got by means managed to survive or cope, usually with limited resources or under difficult circumstances.
The phrase suggests adequacy rather than comfort—meeting basic needs without thriving: We got by on her salary alone, He barely got by after losing his job.
It can also mean passed without incident: The typo got by the editors.
Obtain with difficulty
- make doManage with insufficient resources
- muddle throughProceed without clear direction
- subsistMaintain minimal existence
- make ends meetManage financially, just barely
limp along · hang on · tough it out · keep afloat · stay afloat · cope · endure · persevere
Pass undetected or unobstructed
- go aroundMove past by circling
- skirtWaist-hung lower garment
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
- work aroundImprovised solution to limitation
evade · dodge · clear · make it through
eke out
Obtain with difficulty
- make doManage with insufficient resources
- muddle throughProceed without clear direction
- subsistMaintain minimal existence
make ends meet · limp along · hang on · tough it out · keep afloat · stay afloat · cope · endure · persevere · weather
slip through
Pass undetected or unobstructed
work around · evade · dodge · clear · make it through
got bythrived
Grew vigorously, succeeded
flourished · prospered · excelled · succeeded · made it big
got byfailed
Did not succeed
went under · collapsed · fell apart · crashed and burned · crumbled