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

Local governments would also have to get by with far less, seeing revenue cut by potentially hundreds of millions. — Romy Ellenbogen, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

There was Spencer, who was getting by far the most media attention and the most money. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

One of Kathleen Tejeda's students began freshman year just trying to get by. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

To get by, some families are cooking over fires made by burning wood, charcoal or cardboard. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 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