eke out

Verb (4)

1. supplement what is thought to be deficient“He eked out his meager pay by giving private lessons”“Braque eked out his collages with charcoal”Synonyms: fill outMore general supplement
2. live from day to day, as with some hardship“He eked out his years in great poverty”More general live
3. make by laborious and precarious means“He eked out a living as a painter”Synonyms: squeeze outMore general gain, take in
4. obtain with difficulty“He eked out some information from the archives”Synonyms: squeeze outMore general obtain