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Meaning & use

staying afloat

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UK/ˌsteɪɪŋ əˈfləʊt/
US/ˌsteɪɪŋ əˈfloʊt/

“staying afloat” is a form of “stay afloat”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    remaining on the surface of water without sinking

    Grammar: Used as a continuous verb form: 'He is staying afloat.' The base form is 'stay afloat'.

    Patterns

    • staying afloat in something
    • staying afloat on something

    The life jacket is essential for staying afloat in rough seas.

    After the boat capsized, they focused on staying afloat until help arrived.

  2. phrasefixed phrasefigurative

    managing to survive financially or avoid failure

    Grammar: Often used for businesses or people in debt: 'The company is staying afloat.'

    Patterns

    • staying afloat financially
    • staying afloat in business

    Many small businesses are barely staying afloat during the recession.

    She took a second job to keep the family staying afloat.

Common combinations

barely staying afloat
The restaurant is barely staying afloat after the rent increase.
keep the business staying afloat
They cut costs to keep the business staying afloat.
staying afloat financially
He's staying afloat financially by working two jobs.
staying afloat in the water
The children practiced staying afloat in the pool.

Synonyms and how they differ

surviving
More general; can refer to life or existence, not just water or money.
keeping your head above water
An idiom with a similar meaning, often used for managing a difficult situation.

Opposites

sinkinggoing under

Word family

afloat adjective
Floating on water; also used for being out of debt.
float verb
To rest on the surface of a liquid.

Commonly confused: staying afloat or afloat?

staying afloat vs afloat

As an adjective, 'afloat' describes a state: 'The boat is afloat.' 'Staying afloat' describes the action of remaining in that state.

Practice

After losing its biggest client, the firm is struggling ______.

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