eke 
/ˈi:k/ verb
ekes; eked; ek·ing /ˈi:k/ verb Meaning:
eke out [phrasal verb]
eke out (something) also eke (something) out 1 : to get or achieve (a living, a victory, etc.) with great difficulty
▪ They eked out a living from the poor soil of the family's farm. [=they could grow only enough food to survive] ▪ It looks like he has narrowly eked out a win in the election. ▪ The company eked out a tiny profit last year. 2 : to increase (something) by a small amount
▪ He eked out [=(more commonly) supplemented] his small income by working for neighbors. 3 : to make (a limited amount of something) last by using it carefully in small amounts
▪ eke out food supplies
▪ They eked out a living from the poor soil of the family's farm. [=they could grow only enough food to survive] ▪ It looks like he has narrowly eked out a win in the election. ▪ The company eked out a tiny profit last year.
▪ He eked out [=(more commonly) supplemented] his small income by working for neighbors.
▪ eke out food supplies
