German word

durchschlagen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdʊɐ̯çˌʃlaːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbget by

Example

Er schlägt sich mit einem Gelegenheitsjob durch.

He gets by with a temporary job.

Illustration for durchschlagen (get by)

More examples

Nach dem Umzug schlägt sie sich zunächst allein durch.

After the move, she initially got by on her own.

Core concept

A person forcing a path through resistance with whatever means are available.

Common phrases

  • sich durchschlagen

    get by

  • mit Gelegenheitsjobs durchschlagen

    get by on odd jobs

  • von Erspartem durchschlagen

    get by on savings

Similar words

durchkommen: Continuing to live or manage tasks despite insufficient money or resources.
zurechtkommen: Coping independently with everyday difficulties and responsibilities.
sich über Wasser halten: Struggling to maintain a basic living with very little income.

Definition in German

Durch Improvisation oder Gelegenheitsarbeit mit knappen Mitteln zurechtkommen

Word origin

The separable verb combines German durch, 'through', with schlagen, 'strike'; its literal sense of striking through extended to breaking through resistance and managing in difficult conditions.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, durchschlagen is separable, so the finite verb appears before durch, as in Er schlägt sich durch.

Other meanings

  • penetrateverb
  • take effectverb

Opposites

  • gedeihenthriveverb
  • aufblühenflourishverb

Related words

  • durchschlagenddecisiveadjective
  • Durchschlagimpactnoun
  • Durchschlagskraftforcenoun

Word lists with this word