get by

verb

got by; got by or gotten by; getting by; gets by

intransitive verb

1
: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment
2
: to make ends meet : survive
3
: to proceed without being discovered, criticized, or punished

Examples of get by in a Sentence

working at night paid my college tuition and enabled me to get by—but just barely
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Glenn Close got by with a little help from her friend. Nicholas Rice, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Keke Palmer is Dreux, and SZA is Alyssa, best friends and roommates in West Los Angeles who are barely getting by and dream of financial stability. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2025 The team found a way to get by — Bennedict Mathurin has filled in well as Indiana’s fifth starter, and that opening five has been pummeling opponents. Tony East, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 The reality is, the political opposition to canceling student debt isn't rooted in unfair bailouts to people who otherwise have the means to get by. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for get by 

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of get by was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near get by

Cite this Entry

“Get by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20by. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

get by

verb
1
: to make ends meet : manage
2
: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment

More from Merriam-Webster on get by

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!