scrape by:勉强维持下去;将就过关(通常指钱、资源、时间或能力不够,但仍设法应付、撑过去)。也可指险些通过/勉强成功。
/ˌskreɪp ˈbaɪ/
We can scrape by on instant noodles until payday.
我们可以靠泡面将就撑到发薪日。
Despite the budget cuts, the small theater managed to scrape by, keeping its doors open through community donations and volunteer work.
尽管预算被削减,这家小剧院仍勉强维持运营,靠社区捐助和志愿者工作才得以继续开门营业。
scrape 原意有“刮、擦、勉强凑出”的含义(好像把能用的资源都“刮”出来),与 by 组合后形成短语动词 scrape by,形象地表达“靠一点点资源勉强过关/活下去”。