Help center

Phrasal verbs "get by on" vs "get over"

Differences between get by on and get over

Get by on means to manage or survive with limited resources, while get over means to recover from a difficult or emotional experience.

Meanings and Definitions: get by on vs get over

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Get by on

  • 1Manage on a certain amount of money.

    It's hard to GET BY ON my salary.

Get over

  • 1Recover from something, feel better.

    It took me ages to GET OVER the bout of flu.

  • 2Solve, find a solution.

    It took us a long time to GET OVER the problems with the computer system.

  • 3Communicate, make people understand.

    He makes jokes to help GET his message OVER.

  • 4Be shocked or surprised that something if real or true.

    I couldn't GET OVER how much weight he had put on.

  • 5Get to the other side.

    We couldn't GET OVER the river because of the floods.

  • 6Come somewhere.

    He said he needed help and ask me to GET OVER as soon as I could.

Usage Examples: get by on, get over in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

get by on

Example

I can get by on a small budget while traveling.

Example

She gets by on her part-time job income.

get over

Example

I need to get over my fear of public speaking.

Example

She quickly gets over any disappointment.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by on

make do with

To manage or cope with something despite limited resources or options.

Example

After losing his job, he had to make do with a smaller apartment and fewer luxuries.

scrape by

To barely manage or survive with limited resources or income.

Example

As a student, she had to scrape by on a part-time job and minimal financial aid.

survive on

To manage or live with only a certain amount of resources or income.

Example

Many families in the area have to survive on minimum wage jobs and government assistance.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get over

move on from

To let go of a past experience or situation and focus on the present or future.

Example

After the breakup, she had to move on from her ex-boyfriend and start a new chapter in her life.

recover from

To regain physical or emotional health after an illness, injury, or trauma.

Example

It took her several months to recover from the car accident and get back to her normal routine.

put behind

To leave a past experience or situation in the past and not let it affect the present or future.

Example

He decided to put the argument behind him and focus on his work instead.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Differences in get by on vs get over: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: get by on or get over?

In daily conversation, people use get over more often than get by on. This is because get over is used for a wider range of situations, such as recovering from an illness or a breakup. Get by on is less common and usually used in specific situations where someone is managing with limited resources.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of get by on and get over

Get by on and get over are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, get over can also be used in more formal settings, such as in writing or public speaking.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of get by on and get over

The tone of get by on and get over can differ based on context. Get by on often carries a tone of resilience or resourcefulness, while get over typically has a tone of relief or closure after a difficult experience.

get by on & get over: Synonyms and Antonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!