/i:k; ik/
v (phr v) eke sth out
(a) make a small supply of sth last longer by adding sth else to it or by using it sparingly 使小量物品用的时间长（靠节省用量或以他物弥补）
*They eked out their coal by collecting firewood. 他们拣拾木柴以补充煤的不足.
(b) manage to make (a living) laboriously by doing this 竭力维持（生活）
*eking out a meagre existence 勉强维持贫困的生活.

v
eke out [eke sth⇔out] phr v
[Language: Old English;Origin: iecan, ecan 'to increase']
eke out a living/existence
to manage to live with very little money or food
　They eke out a miserable existence in cardboard shacks.
to make a small supply of something such as food or money last longer by carefully using small amounts of it
　How did Mum manage to eke out the food when we were kids?