to rub along - Glite Dictionary

Examples

So I'm just going to rub along here just to see if I can see what's going on.
For two days, Tamborel and Hwyllum barely rubbed along.

Fiction book (1993)
Despite their differences, the neighbors manage to rub along peacefully.
With limited resources, the family rubbed along just fine during tough times.
Even though they disagreed on many things, they learned to rub along at work.

Synonyms

to scrape by

vsto rub along

10 5.1

To manage to live with very little money

is used for general getting by despite difficulties rather than barely surviving

to squeak by

vsto rub along

Informal

4 7.2

Manage to succeed or continue with only a small amount

is focused on living or getting by rather than narrow success margins

to squeeze by

vsto rub along

Informal

1 5.8

Live with only enough money for basic needs

is more general, covering getting by not only with exactly enough

to scrape along

vsto rub along

UK

6.9

Live with difficulty because you have little money

is about getting by despite problems, not only when money is scarce

to scratch along

vsto rub along

UK

7.8

Manage to live with very little money

is milder, meaning to get by despite difficulties not extreme hardship

Antonyms

to thrive

241 3.2

To grow well and be successful

How Comfortable

to thrive

241 3.2

to do well

520 1.2

to manage

∞ 3.2

to rub along

UK

1 7.5

to get by

121 3.1

to scrape by

10 5.1

Surface Forms

rub along infinitive

rubbed along past

rubbed along past participle

rubbing along present participle

rubs along third person singular

Morphology

rub + along

The literal meanings of 'rub' (to apply friction) and 'along' (continuing onward) do not directly yield 'to get by', but there is a metaphorical link: 'along' conveys continuation and 'rub' suggests effort or friction, so the sense of continuing despite difficulty can be inferred to some extent. This connection is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without exposure, so the expression is partially but not wholly transparent.

Etymology

Rub along may come from the simple image of two things that rub and move along each other until they work more smoothly together. So when people or groups rub along, they manage to 'get by' and keep going together even when things are difficult.