What does "eke out" mean?

To make last by using sparingly To stretch limited resources over time.

How do you use "eke out" in a sentence?

They eked out their supplies. Eking out a living. She eked out her savings.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

Meaning: To make last by using sparingly

节俭使用以延长使用时间

Hacer durar usando con moderación

節約して長持ちさせる

아껴 써서 오래 버티다

To stretch limited resources over time.

将有限的资源延续更长时间。

Estirar los recursos limitados a lo largo del tiempo.

限られた資源を時間をかけて引き延ばすこと。

제한된 자원을 절약하여 오래 사용하다.

Base verb: eke

Particle: out

Separable: Yes — the object can go between the verb and particle

They eked out their supplies.
他们节省着使用物资
Estiraron sus provisiones
彼らは物資を節約して使った
그들은 물자를 아껴서 사용했다
Eking out a living.
勉强维持生计
Ganándose la vida a duras penas
かつかつの生活をしている
근근이 생계를 꾸려가고 있다
She eked out her savings.
她省着花积蓄
Estiró sus ahorros
彼女は貯金を切り詰めて使った
그녀는 저축을 아껴 써서 버텼다

Context: scarcity, survival, resources

Tone: careful

From Old English eacan meaning to increase.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal