IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

make ends meet

Meaning: To manage financially; to have enough money for one's basic needs.

Example: “With rent so high, they're struggling to make ends meet.”

Origin: Both keep one's head above water and make ends meet mean having just enough money but no extra, although the former conveys a feeling of desperation. Keep one's head above water can also mean survival in situations other than financial, whereas make ends meet is limited to financial survival.

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