squeak out
Just barely achieve
To squeak out is to achieve something narrowly or barely, often a victory or escape: They squeaked out a win in the final seconds.
The image is of something just barely fitting through a tight space—like a mouse through a crack.
You might also squeak out words when your voice is strained or emotional: She squeaked out a thank-you before breaking down.
- made itAchieved success or survival
- eked outBarely sustained or achieved
- survivedRemained alive through hardship
- skin of teethThinnest possible margin
- clinchedDecided conclusively
just barely · narrow victory · nail biter · down to the wire · last minute · triumph · push through · exhilaration · close call · relief · creak · by a whisker · strain · pulled off · tension · sweat · satisfaction · toil
squeak outsquander
Use up carelessly
blow it · choke · snatch defeat from the jaws of victory · come up short
squeak, squeaky, squeaker, squeaking, squeaked, squeaks, squeakily, squeakiness