get by on something—survive by means of smth. (usually inadequate):
- She gets by on odd jobs hoping to make it through the worst crisis that has ever hit the economy.
get by with something—
1. = get by on something:
- I don’t know how she gets by with the money she earns from that job.
2. manage with smth. that is available, for want of anything better:
- You may be able to get by with one screwdriver but it’s better to buy a large and a small one.
3. (also: get away with something ) go unpunished for doing smth. reprehensible:
- Don’t try to cheat on your income tax, you’ll never get by with it.