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get by

get by(

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to cope)

a. arreglárselas

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

My salary's not that great, but I get by.Mi sueldo no es lo que se dice astronómico, pero me las arreglo.

b. apañárselas

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

The stores are closed, so we'll have to get by with what's in the fridge.Las tiendas están cerradas, así que tendremos que apañárnoslas con lo que hay en la nevera.

2. (to be acceptable)

a. pasar

Your composition could get by if it weren't for all the spelling mistakes.Tu redacción podría pasar si no fuera por todas las faltas de ortografía.

b. salvarse

The band only gets by thanks to its lead singer's charisma.La banda solo se salva gracias al carisma de su cantante.

c. ser pasable

Peter is not satisfied with just getting by. He wants to be the best at what he does.A Peter no le basta con ser pasable en lo que hace. Quiere ser el mejor.

3. (to make oneself understood)

a. defenderse

Phil can get by in German, which will be a help when we get to Frankfurt.Phil se defiende en alemán, lo que nos va a venir bien cuando estemos en Fráncfort.

4. (to move past)

a. pasar

Excuse me. Could I get by, please?Disculpe. ¿Me deja pasar, por favor?

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

5. (to move past)

a. pasar

The road was too narrow to get by the car in front.La carretera era demasiado estrecha para pasar al auto que tenía delante.

6. (to pass without being noticed)

a. pasar por delante sin ser visto

The janitor was dozing, so they got by him and into the lift.El conserje estaba dando cabezadas, así que ellos pasaron por delante de él sin ser vistos y se metieron en el ascensor.

7. (to go unnoticed)

a. pasarse

I find it hard to believe all those typos that got by me!¡Me cuesta creer que se me pasaran todas esas erratas!

get by

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

1. (manage)

a. arreglárselas

to g by in Spanishdefenderse en español

get by

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

1 (pass) pasar

they had blocked the passageway so I could get by

2 (manage) arreglárselas (informal); apañárselas (informal); (in language) defenderse

we'll get by nos las arreglaremos (informal); nos las apañaremos (informal)

she manages to get by on what her son gives her se las arregla or apaña para vivir con lo que le da su hijo (informal)

my pension is not enough to get by on mi pensión no me da para vivir

we'll have to get by without him tendremos que arreglárnoslas sin él (informal); tendremos que apañárnoslas sin él (informal)

I can get by in Dutch I don't speak it fluently but I can get by I can't get by until lunch without a snack I can get by on a piece of toast till 5 o'clock

3 (be acceptable) pasar

his work is not brilliant but it'll get by su trabajo no es excepcional, pero pasará

it's not a formal do, you'll get by with a jacket and tie

he gets by because of his charm rather than his ability se salva por su encanto no por su habilidad

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples