Pronunciation: [mˌe͡ɪk ˈɛndz mˈiːt] (IPA) 
The phrase "make ends meet" is spelled phonetically as /meɪk ɛndz mit/. The "make" sound is pronounced as /meɪk/ while "ends" is pronounced as /ɛndz/. The word "meet" is pronounced as /mit/. The phrase refers to the act of managing to survive financially with one's income, usually by taking into account expenses and income. This phrase has been in use since the late 17th century and has been a common idiom since then.
"Make ends meet" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of managing one's finances in order to cover expenses and fulfill basic needs, despite limited resources or financial constraints. It signifies a person's ability to maintain a balance between income and expenses, ensuring that there is enough money to cover essential costs and debts.
When someone is making ends meet, they are finding ways to make their income or earnings sufficiently meet their financial obligations, such as paying bills, rent, mortgage, and purchasing necessary items like food, clothing, and utilities. This term is commonly used when someone's income is barely sufficient or insufficient to cover their expenses, often involving careful budgeting, frugality, and resourcefulness.
To make ends meet, individuals might employ various strategies, such as cutting non-essential expenses, working additional shifts or jobs, seeking government assistance, utilizing public resources, or finding creative ways to reduce costs. It requires careful planning, prioritization, and sometimes sacrifices, in order to ensure that all necessary expenses are covered with the limited income available.
The phrase "make ends meet" originated in the early 17th century from the idea of aligning two ends of a rope or thread to create a continuous line. In a similar manner, individuals who make ends meet successfully connect their income stream with their expenses to achieve financial stability and avoid falling into debt or financial distress.
