get by

verb

got by; got by or gotten by; getting by; gets by

intransitive verb

1

: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment

2

: to make ends meet : survive

3

: to proceed without being discovered, criticized, or punished

Synonyms

• cope
• do
• fare
• get along
• get on
• make out
• manage
• shift

Examples of get by in a Sentence

working at night paid my college tuition and enabled me to get by—but just barely

Recent Examples on the Web

It should be noted that partially sighted users who are able to work their phone's touchscreen can get by using just the Seekr app and the phone's camera. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Nov. 2024

In the end, the Heat got by with 27 points from Herro, despite his 4-of-12 3-point shooting, and 22 from Duncan Robinson, with Butler limited to six points and Bam Adebayo to eight. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024

Parts of Panama are still poor and people get by on less than $450 per month. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Kane stripped Bedard in the Hawks end, and Bedard tripped him after Kane got by him, resulting in a penalty. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

get by

verb

1

: to make ends meet : manage

2

: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment