eke out
eke out — 慣用語
1. to use what little remains of a supply in a slow, deliberate way — taking only t
節省使用
東西所剩不多時一點一點慢慢用
to use what little remains of a supply in a slow, deliberate way — taking only tiny amounts at a time because the supply is nearly gone and every bit counts
Heloísa eked out the last of the rice to feed six guests.
Heloísa 省著用最後一點米飯，餵飽了六位客人。
eke out + the last of [resource]
The hikers eked out their water sip by sip in the desert heat.
登山客們在沙漠酷熱中一小口一小口地省著喝水。
Nicholas eked out the small jar of coffee, drinking only half a cup each morning.
Nicholas 省著喝那一小罐咖啡，每天早上只喝半杯。
Aunt Rosa taught the children how to eke out a bar of soap.
Rosa 姑姑教孩子們怎麼省著用一塊肥皂。
We eked out the firewood, feeding the stove one thin log at a time.
我們省著燒柴火，一次只往爐子裡添一根細柴。
- eke out the last of
- eke out supplies
- squander
use wastefully rather than carefully
文法句型
eke out + [resource]
用法筆記
This sense foregrounds the careful, slow manner of consumption — taking tiny amounts deliberately. Distinguish from STRETCH SUPPLIES (phrasal verb/1), which focuses on making a supply span a defined time period, and CONSERVE (verb/2), which focuses on thrifty calculation and avoiding waste.
常見錯誤
eke out — 片語動詞
- eke outbase form
- ekes out3rd person singular
- eking out-ing form
- eked outpast simple
1. to stretch a limited supply of food, money, or fuel across a whole period of har
細水長流
讓有限的食物或金錢支撐更長時間
to stretch a limited supply of food, money, or fuel across a whole period of hardship — so that you reach a specific target point before the supply runs out
Adisa eked out the family's savings over six months of unemployment.
Adisa 精打細算，讓家裡的積蓄撐過了六個月的失業期。
eke out + [savings] + over [time period]
The villagers eked out their grain stores until the spring harvest arrived.
村民們省著吃存糧，一直撐到春天的收成。
eke out + [supply] + until [event]
Eleni eked out a single tin of beans for three meals.
Eleni 把一罐豆子分成了三頓飯來吃。
The school eked out its art budget to cover the whole academic year.
學校精打細算，讓美術預算撐過整個學年。
Vivek eked out the insulin while waiting for the pharmacy to restock.
Vivek 省著用胰島素，等待藥局補貨。
- eke out savings
- eke out supplies
- eke out rations
- splurge
spend freely rather than making resources last
文法句型
eke out + [supply] + over/until/across [timeframe]
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the outcome — making a finite supply span a clear stretch of time, so you reach a target point before the supply runs out. Distinguish from USE SPARINGLY (idiom/1), which describes the slow deliberate manner of use, and CONSERVE (verb/2), which describes thrifty calculation and avoiding waste.
常見錯誤
2. to manage to survive on very little income or resources, often with difficulty o
勉強度日
靠極少的錢勉強過活
to manage to survive on very little income or resources, often with difficulty over a long period
Aoi eked out a living selling handmade crafts at the weekend market.
Aoi 靠在週末市集賣手工藝品勉強度日。
eke out a living + [by doing something]
Selim eked out an existence on state benefits after losing his factory job.
Selim 在失去工廠的工作後，靠著政府補助勉強度日。
eke out an existence + on [income source]
The widow eked out her days in a single rented room near the port.
那位寡婦在港口附近租了一間小房間，勉強度日。
Otis eked out his retirement on a small pension and a vegetable garden.
Otis 靠著微薄的退休金和一小塊菜園勉強度日。
Thousands of families eked out the winter with only basic food parcels.
數以千計的家庭靠著基本食物包勉強撐過了冬天。
- eke out a living
- eke out an existence
- thrive
live well and prosper, the opposite of barely surviving
文法句型
eke out a living
eke out an existence
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'eke out a living' or 'eke out an existence.' The object is nearly always 'a living,' 'an existence,' or a period of time.
常見錯誤
eke out — 動詞
- eke outpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ekes out3rd person singular
- eking out-ing form
- eked outpast simple
1. to add something extra to what is lacking or insufficient, bringing it up to an
補充；補足
增添不足的部分使其足夠
to add something extra to what is lacking or insufficient, bringing it up to an acceptable level
Quan eked out a part-time wage by tutoring students at weekends.
Quan 靠在週末當家教來補貼微薄的打工薪水。
eke out [income] + by [activity]
The farmer eked out the poor soil with layers of compost each spring.
那位農夫每年春天用堆肥來補足貧瘠的土壤。
eke out [deficient thing] + with [supplement]
Ryo eked out his thin salary with freelance translation work.
Ryo 靠接翻譯案子來補貼微薄的薪水。
The cafe eked out its limited menu with daily specials on the board.
那家咖啡館用黑板上的每日特餐來補足有限的菜單。
Andrew eked out his meagre harvest by foraging in the nearby woods.
Andrew 靠在附近樹林採集食物來補貼微薄的收成。
- eke out [income] with/by [activity]
- supplement
more common and neutral; add something extra to make up for a lack
- augment
formal; increase or make larger, not necessarily to fix a deficiency
- top up
informal, British; add more to bring something to the desired level
- deplete
reduce or use up rather than add to
文法句型
eke out + [deficiency] + with/by [supplement]
用法筆記
Formal or literary register. This is the oldest meaning of 'eke out,' from Old English 'ēcan' (to increase). More common in American English than British.
2. to use a limited supply in a carefully calculated, thrifty way — measuring out o
節約使用
精確計算用量，避免任何浪費
to use a limited supply in a carefully calculated, thrifty way — measuring out only what is strictly necessary and avoiding any waste so that nothing is spent unnecessarily
The hospital eked out its dwindling supply of masks during the outbreak.
那家醫院在疫情期間節約使用日益減少的口罩。
eke out + [dwindling/limited supply]
Eitan eked out the last of the petrol to reach the next service station.
Eitan 精確計算最後一點汽油的用量，撐到了下一個休息站。
The crew eked out their rations after the supply ship was delayed.
補給船延誤後，船員們有計畫地節約使用口糧。
Grandmother eked out the coal through the coldest winter in forty years.
祖母精確計算用煤量，撐過了四十年來最冷的冬天。
The soldiers eked out their ammunition, firing only when necessary.
士兵們節約使用彈藥，只在必要時才開火。
eke out [resource] + [by being sparing]
- eke out dwindling supplies
- eke out the last of
- waste
use carelessly rather than sparingly
文法句型
eke out + [dwindling supply]
用法筆記
This sense emphasizes deliberate calculation — measuring exact amounts rather than simply using less. Distinguish from USE SPARINGLY (idiom/1), which describes the slow, careful manner of taking tiny portions, and STRETCH SUPPLIES (phrasal verb/1), which describes making a supply span a defined time period.