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to make (a living) by means of difficult or resourceful efforts; to supplement or manage with difficulty.
synonyms:supplementaugment
The word 'eke' comes from Middle English 'ekken', which means 'to increase or add to.' It is derived from the Old Norse word 'ek,' meaning 'also' or 'in addition.'
The word is often used in everyday conversation, especially in contexts related to managing resources or efforts.
While not used daily by everyone, it appears in discussions about resource management or in literary contexts.
Despite their limited income, they managed to eke out a living by selling handmade crafts.
She had to eke her savings to last through the winter months.
The team had to eke out a victory in the final minutes of the game.
The word 'eke' is a fascinating little verb that packs a punch with its meaning of making the most out of a challenging situation. With roots tracing back to Old Norse, it reflects a time when survival often depended on resourcefulness. Today, we still use 'eke' to describe the act of stretching our resources, whether it's money, time, or energy. So next time you find yourself making do with what you have, remember that you're not just surviving—you're 'eking' it out!