What does “Make ends meet” mean?

"Make ends meet" means to have enough money to pay for basic necessities.

What context can I use the in?

Example

With two jobs, she's barely able to make ends meet.

Example

They had to cut back on expenses in order to make ends meet.

Example

He took on a side gig to help make ends meet

Is “Make ends meet” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Make ends meet” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Make ends meet” effectively in context?

You can use "Make ends meet" to describe the ability to have enough money to pay for basic necessities. It emphasizes the challenge of managing finances and making sure income covers expenses. For example, if a friend is struggling financially, you might say, 'She's working two jobs just to make ends meet.'

1Financial Struggles
With two jobs, she's barely able to make ends meet.
2Budgeting
They had to cut back on expenses in order to make ends meet.
3Supplementing Income
He took on a side gig to help make ends meet.

Similar phrases to “Make ends meet”:

Keep one's head above water

To manage to survive or stay out of debt

Example

Despite the financial difficulties, they managed to keep their heads above water.

Stretch one's paycheck

To make one's money last longer by being frugal

Example

She had to stretch her paycheck to cover all her expenses.

Live within one's means

To spend only what one can afford

Example

They learned to live within their means after facing financial difficulties.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Make ends meet” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Make ends meet" is unknown.

Is “Make ends meet” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Make ends meet" is a common expression in everyday conversation. Many people use it to describe their financial situation or to discuss the challenges of managing money.

What tone does “Make ends meet” have?

"Make ends meet" conveys a tone of financial struggle and the need for resourcefulness. It is often used to discuss the difficulties of managing finances and ensuring that basic needs are met.

Can “Make ends meet” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "make ends meet" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a widely understood expression that describes a common financial situation. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal discussions about personal finance or budgeting.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They had to cut back on expenses to make ends meet.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'It's a struggle to "make ends meet".'

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

manage finances
balance the budget
meet financial obligations
cover expenses
stay afloat

Antonyms

splurge
live lavishly
waste money
be in debt
fall behind on bills