Making ends meet is a common idiom used to describe a situation where one is able to cover basic living expenses with their income. The spelling of this phrase is straightforward, with "making" pronounced /ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/ and "ends" pronounced /ɛndz/. "Meet" is pronounced with a long E sound, /miːt/. The phrase originated in the 17th century and has been used ever since to describe financial struggles and the act of balancing expenses with income.
Making ends meet means managing one's financial resources in such a way that they are sufficient to cover all necessary expenses and obligations. It refers to the ability to live within one's means and maintain a balanced budget. The term implies finding a way to ensure that one's income is enough to meet one's financial requirements and maintain a modest standard of living.
When someone is making ends meet, it suggests that they are effectively juggling their income and expenses to cover essential costs such as housing, bills, groceries, and transportation. This may involve carefully budgeting and prioritizing spending, reducing non-essential expenses, or seeking additional sources of income.
Making ends meet can be a challenge, especially when faced with limited resources or unexpected expenses. It may require making trade-offs and sacrifices to ensure that essential needs are met. In some cases, people may need to take on additional jobs or seek financial assistance to bridge the gap between income and expenses.
Overall, the concept of making ends meet emphasizes the importance of responsible financial management and ensuring that one's income is sufficient to sustain a reasonable quality of life. It involves finding a delicate balance between income and expenses to avoid falling into debt or experiencing financial hardship.