make ends meet
Meaning: To manage financially; to have enough money for one's basic needs.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
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.
More idioms — Daily Life
- make heads or tails of something — To understand something.
- make or break — To be the deciding factor in whether something succeeds or fails.
- make something from scratch — To make something by putting together the separate basic components, rather than using a…
- make the grade — To meet standards; to be satisfactory.
- make tracks — To leave, usually quickly.
- mark time — To wait out one's time by doing the minimum and without progressing.
More English idioms
- method to one's madness — Explanation; forethought or logic.
- midas touch — The ability to make money or to be successful at everything one becomes involved in.
- mind one's own business — To not inquire about, become involved in, or interfere with other people's affairs.
- miss the boat — To miss an opportunity because one is too late.
- money to burn — Extra money; money to spend however one likes.
- more something than one bargained for — More than one expected.
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