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 of get by

• cope
• do
• get on
• get along
• manage

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

Herbst chided Williams for having four assistant city managers when prior city managers got by with two. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026

For many tenants, paying the rent all at once at the beginning of the month leaves them with no way to get by until the next paycheck arrives. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 May 2026

Pinch-runner Lane Thomas advanced to second on a balk, and scored on Jac Caglianone's single to center that got by Julio Rodriguez and went all the way to the wall. —ABC News, 3 May 2026

Still, few think the Lakers, who advanced past the first round for the first time since 2023, can get by the deep and talented Thunder. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for get by

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

get by

verb

1

: to make ends meet : manage

2

: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment