Get By - what is it?

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Boris Tatarenko

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Hello everyone, my name is Boris. I'm new user here and I have a question :-D.
Sometimes I can hear a phrasal verb "get by", my translator ABBYY lingvo can translate it, but I think it's a incorrect, because it says "get by" = "admissible". Someone can help me with it?)

Besides I study spanish a lot of time and have a good level in it. If someone who know english wanna study spanish I could help) Sorry for my bad eng.
 

probus

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To get by means to avoid or evade an obstacle. The prisoners got by the guard when his attention was distracted by a fight in the yard.

It can also mean to survive or make ends meet. After he lost his job, his family had to get by on their meagre savings.
 

Boris Tatarenko

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Oh, thank you for reply. I think in my context I should use it like a "survive".
 

Niklas

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Whenever I read the phrase "get by" I have to think of the beatles song from Sgt Peppers

"Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm,I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends."
 
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