Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

make something last with sparing use: to make a supply of something last by using it as slowly and economically as possible


2. supplement something insufficient or inadequate: to supplement something that is insufficient or inadequate, usually with difficulty and by hard work


3. get something only with effort: to manage to get or achieve something but only on a small scale and with a great deal of effort


Could anyone use it in a sentence?

Can I say, "I eked out this toothpaste by using it to its last drop?"



Thanks

[bud]

According to the definition, it appears to be correct. I don't think I've ever seen it used for such a small matter, though. Almost always, it is that somebody "eked out a living" by doing something or other to earn money.

She eked out a living for her family by doing laundry for the well-to-do (well-to-do = wealthy people).

Having left school in the 6th grade, he had to eke out a living by buying and selling scrap metal.