Modul 5: Idiom 34: Make Ends Meet

Make Ends Meet

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘make ends meet.’ What does this mean? If you are ‘making ends meet’ it means that you are only just making the money needed to pay your monthly bills and shopping. Another way of saying ‘I’m making ends meet’ is ‘I’m just getting by.’

So what is the origin of this idiom?

The origin of this idiom comes from sailing. In order for the sail on a ship to work, it needs to be connected by a rope. If the rope broke then the sail wouldn’t do its job. When the rope did break, the captain would give the order for the sailors to pull tightly on each end of the broken ropes and put them back together as best they could to make the ends meet. By pulling the rope ends, the tension was restored and temporarily would make the sail work again.

Take a look at our illustration.

Here we can see a pair of hands pulling two ends of a rope together to make them meet- just as the sailors would do. Can you see the man on top with his shopping bags? The shopping bags are filled with the essential food that he needs. With one foot on each rope, he is just managing to stay balanced. This is like how he is just managing to afford his bills and shopping. He is making ends meet.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

“This new job is so boring, but at least I’m making ends meet.” – I can make a living.

“I can’t afford a holiday this year. I’m only just making ends meet.”

“If I want to make ends meet, I’ll need to cut down on some of my luxuries.”

“Thanks to my pay rise, I’m no longer just making ends meet. I can actually afford nice things!”

“I’m being evicted next week. I couldn’t make ends meet.”

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding.

1.

Jim left school without any formal qualifications. He stacks shelves at the supermarket during the day and works as a bouncer at a nightclub during the evenings.  He earns just enough money to eat and pay his rent.  Is Jim making ends meet?  Yes – just about, but he doesn’t have any money saved in the bank.

2.

Meryl Streep is a brilliant actress.  She earns lots of money by making movies.  Is Meryl Streep just making ends meet? No. Meryl Streep is very rich.

3.

Malcolm and Sally have 6 children.  They also both have full-time jobs. It’s hard, but they just about make ends meet.  Can Malcolm and Sally afford expensive family holidays?  No. They have just enough money to support their large family.

4.

Bob is a city banker – he has 4 cars and a second home.  He asks his boss for a raise, “It’s alright for you with your yacht, five homes, and fleet of cars, but I’m just making ends meet!”  Is Bob telling the truth? Is he just making ends meet?  No.  Whilst his boss is much richer than he is, Bob has far too much money to complain that he is just making ends meet.

5.

Amy has recently opened her own cake shop.  She sells just enough cakes to pay the landlord, her staff, and a small salary for herself.  Is Amy making ends meet?  Yes.  It sounds like she is.  Hopefully, her business will grow in the future.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.