Crossword Genius

Exist on next to nothing being humble (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

belittle

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'humble' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'exist on next to nothing' is the wordplay.
'exist' becomes 'be' (synonyms).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'next to nothing' becomes 'little' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'be'+'little'='BELITTLE'

'being' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for belittle that I've seen before include "Demean" , "Sell short" , "Imply that person is inferior" , "Make light of" , "Make to seem unimportant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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