What does “To make both ends meet.” mean?
"To make both ends meet" means to live within one’s means and manage finances responsibly. The phrase refers to the idea of ensuring that one’s income is sufficient to cover expenses and avoid debt. It may involve budgeting, saving money, or seeking additional sources of income in order to make ends meet.
What context can I use the in?
Example
They had to cut back on expenses and find ways to increase their income in order to make both ends meet.
Example
After losing his job, he had to find creative ways to make both ends meet and avoid falling into debt.
Example
She learned the importance of budgeting and saving money in order to make both ends meet and achieve financial stability
Is “To make both ends meet.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“To make both 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 “To make both ends meet.” effectively in context?
You can use "To make both ends meet" to emphasize the importance of living within one's means and managing finances responsibly. It conveys the idea of ensuring that one's income is sufficient to cover expenses and avoid debt. For example, if a friend is struggling financially, you might say, 'You need to find ways to increase your income and cut back on expenses in order to make both ends meet.'
- 1Financial Management
She learned the importance of budgeting and saving money in order to make both ends meet and achieve financial stability.
- 2Job Loss
After losing his job, he had to find creative ways to make both ends meet and avoid falling into debt.
- 3Living on a Tight Budget
They had to cut back on expenses and find ways to increase their income in order to make both ends meet.
Similar phrases to “To make both ends meet.”:
Cut corners
To reduce expenses by finding cheaper alternatives or making sacrifices
Example
They had to cut corners and find cheaper housing to save money.
Penny-pinching
To be extremely frugal and careful with spending
Example
He became known for his penny-pinching ways and ability to save money.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “To make both ends meet.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "To make both ends meet" is unknown.
Is “To make both ends meet.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "To make both ends meet" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. People often use it to discuss financial responsibility and the importance of managing one's income and expenses.
What tone does “To make both ends meet.” have?
"To make both ends meet" conveys a tone of practicality and responsibility. It's often used in a serious context to highlight the need for financial management and living within one's means.
Can “To make both ends meet.” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "To make both ends meet" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a widely recognized proverb that conveys the idea of financial responsibility. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or financial discussions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They had to find ways to increase their income and cut back on expenses in order to make both ends meet.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "make both ends meet"!' to imply the need for financial responsibility.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- manage finances responsibly
- live within one's budget
- avoid living beyond one's means
- maintain financial stability
- balance the books
Antonyms
- live extravagantly
- spend recklessly
- max out credit cards
- live paycheck to paycheck
- accumulate debt
