Just gets (by)
I believe the answer is:
ekes
'just gets by' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for ekes that I've seen before include "...out a living, barely makes do" , "Makes supplies last longer" , "Lengthens (out)" , "Rab C's extras" , "- - out: stretches" .)