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

Passengers have had to use a Real ID since May; however, people can get by with a passport or global entry card. —Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025

The New York Mets continue to search for answers in center field this winter after barely getting by last season. —Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

But right now, the 34-year-old is barely getting by. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025

San Fran gets by with Band-Aids and bailing wire, enough to make 6-4 seem a minor miracle. —Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025

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