make ends meet

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

To earn just enough money to cover your basic expenses.

Why this phrase?

Stretching income so the two ends of a budget touch.

Example

“With rent so high, they struggle to make ends meet each month.”

Dictionary details

Tags

money

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

a rip-off Informal · CEFR B1

Something that is far too expensive for what it is.

bang for your buck Informal · CEFR B1

the value or impact you get for the money or effort spent

cost an arm and a leg Informal · CEFR B1

To be extremely expensive.

live it up Informal · CEFR B1

to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual

money doesn't grow on trees Informal · CEFR B1

Used to remind someone that money is limited and hard to earn.

save for a rainy day Neutral · CEFR B1

to put money aside for future emergencies

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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