Phrasal verbs "come by" vs "get by"

Differences between come by and get by

Come by means to obtain something, usually with some effort or difficulty, while get by means to manage to survive or cope with a situation, often with limited resources.

Meanings and Definitions: come by vs get by

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Come by

  • 1Visit.

    I'll COME BY after work and see if you need any help.

  • 2Acquire.

    How did you COME BY that Rolex?

Get by

  • 1Have just enough money to live on.

    They're finding it increasingly difficult to GET BY since their daughter was born.

  • 2Not be noticed ( problems, errors, etc ).

    I had checked it, but there still were a few mistakes that didn't GET BY the editor.

Usage Examples: come by, get by in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

come by

Example

I will come by your house later to drop off the package.

Example

She comes by the office every day to check her mail.

get by

Example

I'm not rich, but I can get by with my current salary.

Example

She gets by on a tight budget every month.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come by

To obtain or get something, often through effort or persistence.

Example

She managed to acquire a rare book from the library after several attempts.

procure

To obtain or secure something, often through negotiation or request.

Example

He was able to procure a discount for the team's hotel stay during the conference.

To achieve or reach a goal or objective.

Example

After years of hard work, he was finally able to attain his dream job.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by

To manage or cope with a situation using whatever resources are available.

Example

During the pandemic, many families had to make do with limited supplies and resources.

To barely manage or survive with limited resources or income.

Example

As a student, she had to scrape by with part-time jobs and loans to pay for her tuition.

To live or subsist on a particular type or amount of food, income, or resources.

Example

Many people in developing countries have to survive on less than $2 a day.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

Differences in come by vs get by: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: come by or get by?

Both come by and get by are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, get by is more frequently used than come by because it's a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of come by and get by

Come by and get by are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, come by can be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of come by and get by

The tone of come by and get by can differ based on context. Come by often carries a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction when referring to obtaining something after some effort or difficulty, while get by typically has a more practical and sometimes negative tone, especially when referring to managing with limited resources.

come by & get by: Synonyms and Antonyms

Come by

Synonyms

Antonyms

Get by

Synonyms

Antonyms

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