Words / C1

EEK/iːk/

To eke is to make a small supply last by using it sparingly, especially eke out: eke out cover, eke the spare. Stretch (already in the dictionary) is the everyday twin; spreading one name across two sittings is still a cover hole.

Meaning

To make a small supply last by using it sparingly, especially eke out (from stretch, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Eke the named spare across two sittings and you still have a cover hole.”
• “Stretch is already in this course. Squeeze is the close twin. Spreading is a slogan. A name on each log is cover. Name a second spare; then call it thrift if both cells are still full.”

Good to know

Make a little last (eke out). Everyday: stretch (already in the dictionary). One name ≠ two sittings.

Near in meaning

stretch, squeeze, scrape

New