(I'VE) BEEN GETTING BY.
(I've) been getting by.: translation
(I've) been getting by.
Inf. a response to a greeting inquiry into one's well-being indicating that one is having a hard time surviving or that things could be much better. (See also
(I'm) just getting by.) •
John: How are things? Jane: Oh, I've been getting by.
•
Sue: How are you doing? Mary: Been getting by. Things could be better.