Verb
obtain with difficulty
make by laborious and precarious means
supplement what is thought to be deficient
live from day to day, as with some hardship
Source: WordNetTo eke out the most happiness from an experience, we must anticipate it, savor it as it unfolds, express happiness, and recall a happy memory. Gretchen Rubin
Times were very hard if you were a poor, politically correct Jewish girl living in the east end of London during the Blitz and you were trying to eke out a living as a hairdresser. Linda Grant
But for National Socialism with this demand for social justice stands and falls the question of destiny for the German people, whether the German people can find its way to a noble nation, or whether it will eke out a miserable life in degradation and corruption as a fellaheen nation. Gottfried Feder
I have managed to eke out a good and substantial existence. I'm not shoveling gold bricks or anything, but I do very, very well. Rufus Wainwright
He eked out some information from the archives Source: Internet
He eked out a living as a painter Source: Internet