eke out

IPA/ˈiːk ˈaʊt/
IPA/ˈiːk ˈaʊt/

eke out — phrasal verb

  • eke outbase form
  • ekes out3rd person singular
  • eking out-ing form
  • eked outpast simple

1. to use very small portions of a limited resource at a time, so that the supply l

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to use very small portions of a limited resource at a time, so that the supply lasts until you can get more

例句

With only one bag of rice left, Hugo eked it out for the whole month.

separated form: eke + noun + out

The farmers eked out their water supply during the long dry season.

collocation: eke out + supplies

同義詞
  • stretch

    less formal; suggests making something go further than usual

  • conserve

    focuses on saving rather than making last through small use

  • spin out

    British English; also means make something last longer but can imply delaying

反義詞
  • waste

    to use more than necessary, opposite of using sparingly

  • squander

    stronger term for wasting carelessly

文法句型

eke out + noun phrase

eke + noun phrase + out

用法筆記

The object is typically a countable resource such as food, water, fuel, or money. The phrasal verb can be separated: 'eke out the food' or 'eke the food out'.

常見錯誤

❌She eked out time to finish the report.
✅She made the report last by working slowly.
💡'eke out' is used for physical supplies and resources, not time or abstract things.

2. to manage to survive or support yourself when you have very little money, food,

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to manage to survive or support yourself when you have very little money, food, or other basic resources — for example, taking on any small job or growing your own food just to get by

例句

The Reyes family eked out a living by selling vegetables from their small garden.

pattern: eke out a living by + verb-ing

Nikos eked out an existence as a street musician in the subway stations.

collocation: eke out an existence

同義詞
  • scrape by

    less formal; suggests barely having enough money to live

  • get by

    broader meaning, can refer to any kind of survival, not just financial

  • make ends meet

    idiomatic; specifically about having enough money for basic needs

反義詞

文法句型

eke out + a living/existence/life

eke out + a living + by + verb-ing

用法筆記

Almost always used in the fixed expressions 'eke out a living', 'eke out an existence', or 'eke out a life'. Cannot be separated in these expressions — 'eke a living out' is rare and non-standard. The 'by + verb-ing' pattern adds the method of survival.

常見錯誤

❌He eked out from selling newspapers.
✅He eked out a living by selling newspapers.
💡'eke out' always needs an object like 'a living' or 'an existence'; you cannot use it without an object.

3. to achieve or obtain something positive with great difficulty, especially a narr

3.片語動詞及物C1
釋義

to achieve or obtain something positive with great difficulty, especially a narrow win in a competition or a very small profit

例句

The home team eked out a narrow 2–1 victory in the final minute of the match.

collocation: eke out a victory

The small bookstore eked out just enough sales to stay open another year.

同義詞
  • scrape

    more informal; 'scrape a win' or 'scrape through' implies barely passing

  • squeeze out

    suggests obtaining something against the odds, often in competition

  • narrowly achieve

    more formal; describes the result rather than the effort

反義詞

文法句型

eke out + a win/victory/draw

eke out + a profit

用法筆記

Common in sports journalism ('eke out a win', 'eke out a victory') and business contexts ('eke out a profit'). Object is always a positive outcome achieved narrowly. Not used for negative outcomes (don't say 'eke out a loss').

常見錯誤

❌The team eked out a loss.
✅The team suffered a narrow loss.
💡'eke out' only works with positive achievements like wins, victories, profits, or passing grades.