1. making something last longer by using it carefully or sparingly
Usage: present participle of ‘eke’
2. managing to make a living with difficulty
Usage: often used with ‘out’

Examples

• She was eking out her savings until her next paycheck.
• The family was eking out a living on the small farm.
• He’s eking out his coffee supplies until he can get to the store.
• They were eking out an existence in the remote village.
• The refugees were eking out their food rations.
• She’s eking out her retirement funds carefully.