make ends meat
-the more rational way of describing life in a struggle, rather than "make ends meet"
-Making the bare minimum
-Making the bare minimum
i'm just out here tryin to make ends meat in this recession
ends meat
noun: the least desirable cuts of meat, often eaten by the poor: tripe. Metaphorically in the expression, "make ends meat," i.e., to make just enough money to buy (the worst) food.
After my mother lost her job, she could no longer bring home the bacon. She was barely making ends meat.