How to Use 'Make Ends Meet' in English: Money and Financial Expressions


Introduction 💰

“Make ends meet” is a common English expression used to talk about managing money and finances. Let’s explore this phrase and other related expressions to help you discuss financial situations in English!

Basic Expressions 💵

Money Management Phrases

  • make ends meet
  • live paycheck to paycheck
  • stretch a dollar
  • on a tight budget
  • pinch pennies
  • tighten one’s belt
  • get by
  • scrape by
  • stay afloat
  • Financially stable
  • Well-off
  • Broke
  • Tight
  • Strapped
  • Hard-pressed
  • Cash-strapped
  • Penniless

Useful Expressions and Examples 💳

When Talking About Financial Struggles

Example 1: “I’m finding it hard to make ends meet this month.”

“With rising prices, many families are struggling to make ends meet.”

When Discussing Budgeting

Example 2: “I need to tighten my belt until my next paycheck.”

“We’re trying to stretch every dollar.”

When Describing Financial Situations

Example 3: “I’m barely staying afloat with these expenses.”

“We’re living paycheck to paycheck right now.”

Conversation Examples 🗣️

At the Office

A: “How are you managing with the cost of living these days?”

B: “It’s not easy. I’m really having to pinch pennies.”

A: “I know what you mean. Everything’s getting more expensive.”

B: “Yes, we’re all trying to make ends meet somehow.”

Financial Advice Discussion

A: “Do you have any tips for stretching a dollar?”

B: “I’ve learned to live on a tight budget.”

A: “It must be challenging.”

B: “Yes, but you learn to get by.”

Grammar Points 📝

Using “Make Ends Meet”

  1. Present tense:
  • I can barely make ends meet
  • She makes ends meet by working two jobs
  1. Past tense:
  • We managed to make ends meet last month
  • They couldn’t make ends meet
  1. Perfect tenses:
  • I have been making ends meet
  • They had made ends meet

Common Mistakes ❌

Incorrect: “I make the ends meet.” Correct: “I make ends meet.”

Incorrect: “We are making the both ends meet.” Correct: “We are making ends meet.”

Situational Phrases 🎯

Discussing Budget Constraints

  • “I’m on a shoestring budget.”
  • “Money’s a bit tight right now.”
  • “I need to watch my spending.”

Expressing Financial Hardship

  • “I’m running on empty.”
  • “Times are tough.”
  • “I’m feeling the pinch.”

Money Idioms 🏦

Common Financial Idioms

  • “Penny wise, pound foolish”
  • “Money doesn’t grow on trees”
  • “Break the bank”
  • “Cost an arm and a leg”

Verb Forms and Prepositions 📚

Verb Phrases with Money

  1. live + on + amount Example: “Living on a budget”

  2. spend + on + item Example: “Spending on essentials”

  3. save + for + goal Example: “Saving for emergencies”

Practical Vocabulary 📊

  • Income
  • Expenses
  • Bills
  • Savings
  • Debt
  • Budget
  • Cost of living
  • Monthly payments

Summary 💡

Key Points to Remember

  1. “Make ends meet” is always used without articles
  2. Use appropriate tenses for different time contexts
  3. Combine with other financial expressions for natural conversation

These expressions will help you discuss financial situations naturally in English!

Remember to practice these phrases in context to become more comfortable using them in conversations.




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