with obj.(eke something out)
1- make an amount or supply of something last longer by using or consuming it frugally尽量节省以延长, 尽量维持：
the remains of yesterday's stew could be eked out to make another meal.
昨天吃剩的炖肉如果省一点可以再吃一顿。
1.1
- manage to support oneself or make a living with difficulty竭力维持（生计）, 勉强度日：
many petty traders barely eked out a living.
许多做小本生意的商人仅能糊口。
词源
Old English ēacian, ēcan （in the sense 'increase'）, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse auka.