1. move past something, have just enough of something to do what is necessary, pass unnoticed
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I don't earn a lot, but I manage to get by
The phrasal verb 'get by' means to manage to do something with difficulty or to have just enough resources in order to survive. If something 'gets by' someone it manages to occur without being detected or noticed. If someone 'gets by' on a test or exam it means they managed to do well enough not to fail.