Meaning of the word "eke out" in English

What does "eke out" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

eke out

US /iːk/
UK /iːk/

Phrasal Verb

1.

to make a living with difficulty

Example:
They managed to eke out a living from farming the barren land.
With only a small pension, she had to eke out her existence.
2.

to make something last longer by using it carefully or sparingly

Example:
We had to eke out our supplies until the rescue team arrived.
She tried to eke out the remaining coffee for another week.