make ends meet

phrase

: to make one's means adequate to one's needs

did all they could do to make ends meet

Examples of make ends meet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Working families and older individuals already struggling to make ends meet will be hit the hardest financially and will be forced to make life-or-death decisions. — Sanya Carley, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Leo is a struggling actor who has to work as a grocery clerk to make ends meet while taking care of his disabled father. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Our focus is on operating a safe and reliable heating system, doing critical infrastructure work cost effectively, and helping customers make ends meet through energy-efficiency programs, budget-friendly billing plans and financial assistance. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Gerber said some of their friends were going through a difficult time, including one who was working at a Texas airport's bar trying to make ends meet for his family. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for make ends meet

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete