eke out a living vs eke out an existence

Both phrases are correct and have similar meanings. They are interchangeable and used to describe barely managing to survive or make a living. The choice between 'eke out a living' and 'eke out an existence' depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 320 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"eke out a living "

This phrase means to barely manage to survive or make a living, often by using limited resources or through great effort.

Examples:

Despite the difficult circumstances, she managed to eke out a living for her family.
The artist had to eke out a living by selling paintings on the street.
Many people in the village eke out a living by farming small plots of land.

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Meanwhile, on both sides of the border, families are struggling to eke out a living.
As long as we get out of this place, we can eke out a living... right?
He longs for the days when life wasn't complicated by big-city dreams, when a man could eke out a living off the land.
That if one isn't well where he is he tries to eke out a living elsewhere.
Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, Masango seems prepared to fight for his right to eke out a living on the wildfire-scarred land.
They decide to sell tissue and cells of their body for payment in order to eke out a living.
But while the struggle for the organization of workers' revolution is going on, everyday billions of people are struggling to eke out a living under capitalism.
The enclosure and privatization of once public lands by several acts of Parliament closed off the opportunity that rural people might eke out a living in such places.
The majority of the inhabitants are Zapotecs who eke out a living by farming and the cultivation of coffee.
Eritrea, formerly part of Ethiopia, is one of those places that is astonishingly beautiful, incredibly stark, and I have no understanding of how people eke out a living there.
It is the tourism of depressed and outlying regions, where tourism enables people to eke out a living and, in many cases, is the only economic resource.
The project would benefit about 350 households in nine villages in the SupiRiver watershed, where villagers are trying to eke out a living growing rice. (...)
While six hundred million people depend on farming to earn or eke out a living, agriculture representing a quarter of the economy, India boasts a highly developed technological sector, which many parts of the world look upon with envy.
It gets harder and harder for me to eke out a living from my music and from the label.
Eritrea, formerly part of Ethiopia, is one of those places that is astonishingly beautiful, incredibly stark, and I have no understanding of how people eke out a living there.

Alternatives:

struggle to make ends meet
scrape by
make a meager living
live hand to mouth
barely get by

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"eke out an existence"

This phrase means to barely manage to survive or exist, often in difficult or challenging circumstances.

Examples:

The refugees were able to eke out an existence in the makeshift camp.
Living in the remote village, they had to eke out an existence by hunting and gathering.
The hermit chose to eke out an existence in solitude in the mountains.

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eke out an existence
Pour it all out, our weak points and pride and desire to eke out an existence.
Like hundreds of thousands of Nepalis, they have been forced to eke out an existence in one of the many tent camps in the capital.
And this is the lifecycle on the saltflat, all of which we call extremophiles, and which eke out an existence in a mudflat like this.
Those who can't leave eke out a precarious existence in makeshift camps.
eke out a miserable existence and eventually lost their ability to pay.
On the planet Lankiveil, the Harkonnen family ekes out a lean existence, far from the glory enjoyed by their ancestors after Vorian Atreides disowned the disgraced Abulurd Harkonnen.
It may yet be possible to eke out a poor existence for radio, but I don't know how."
It is no accident, Commissioner, that the affected areas are always those European regions which are least developed, those which eke out a meagre existence from tourism and fishing and which, in the majority of cases, do not have any other resources.
For 97 years, we have eked out an existence, hoping that someday our descendants would return to earth...
The inhabitants of this country battered over decades are leaving their homeland in droves, eking out an existence in refugee camps in Pakistan.
I can maybe get him to eke out another $75,000.
I can maybe get him to eke out another $75,000.
And mine, to eke out hers.
Some people can scratch out an existence on what you'll be receiving, but I've heard the benefits are great.
Meanwhile, on both sides of the border, families are struggling to eke out a living.
That if one isn't well where he is he tries to eke out a living elsewhere.
And a little money too to help you eke out your pay.
Eke out the last of our earnings!
Because of their abysmal track record and less-than-stellar capabilities, the two men eke out livings solving crimes for people who can't afford to hire more competent detectives.
Instead, Concepcion fought Colombian Yogli Herrera that night and managed to eke out a 6-round decision.

Alternatives:

struggle to survive
exist on the brink
live on the edge
survive against all odds
make do with very little

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eke out a living vs eke out an existence

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