scrape by
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dyslexic, Harry dropped out of school in the ninth grade, joined the Navy, and served two weeks’ military imprisonment before returning to New York City to work odd jobs and scrape by.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
And even if he manages to scrape by in committee, Blanche can afford to lose only three Republican votes in the Senate.
From Slate ● Jul. 9, 2026
To scrape by, he has turned to selling off his possessions on an internet auction site and accepting a loan from a friend.
From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2025
James was a stalwart patriarch of a working-class family on the Chicago's South Side struggling to scrape by, earning what he could by juggling part-time work.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024
It didn’t make me as brave as old Daniel, but it always gave me at least a little hope the Lord would let me scrape by.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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