keeping one's head above water
Just getting by
Keeping one's head above water means managing to survive or cope, especially financially, but only barely.
The image is of someone struggling in water, expending all their energy just to avoid drowning rather than making progress toward shore.
Between the mortgage and medical bills, we're barely keeping our heads above water.
The phrase emphasizes precariousness—things aren't good, but they haven't collapsed yet.
- stormy seasAgitated ocean with waves
- sink or swimSucceed alone or fail
- sinking feelingAnxious gut premonition
- treading waterStaying afloat vertically
- dog paddlingBasic swimming stroke
budgeting · tight budget · frugality · perseverance · resilience · floating · endurance · resourcefulness · saving · rainy day fund · life raft · grit · buoyancy · adaptability · stress management · debt management · income generation · swimming upstream
keeping one's head above waterdrowning
Death by water inhalation
going under · sinking · succumbing · going bankrupt · failing
keeping one's head above waterthriving
Succeeding vigorously
flourishing · prospering · riding high · coasting · living large
keeping, keeper, keepers, headed, header, headers, headless, waters, watered