stay afloat

• surviveContinue to exist
• tread waterMaintain position while swimming
• buoyantAble to float
• struggleLabored effort against resistance
• swimMove through water

float · surface · lifeline · debt · bills · scrape by · barely · manage · cope · endure · bob · waves · current · gasp · breathe · overhead · rescue · paddle

• sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, miss the boat
• adaptabilityadapt, flexibility, resilience, adaptability, pliability