eke out a living

This page is about the collocation eke out a living

collocation pattern: verb + noun

Meaning

to earn just enough money to survive

For example

  • We saw homeless kids eking out a living by selling flowers to tourists.

  • The girls eked out a living by earning two dollars a day in a garment factory.

Quick Quiz

Justin had to eke out a living by

a. giving huge concerts

b. recording hit songs

c. washing dirty cars
a) giving huge concerts b) recording hit songs c) washing dirty cars

Contributor: Matt Errey