Getting by on limited means
The idiom focuses on keeping going in a difficult situation. The money is just enough for essentials or to keep a business open.
Adding gerade so emphasizes that there is very little room to spare. Gut verdienen describes a different financial situation.
Mit einem Nebenjob hält sich Mira bis zum Ausbildungsbeginn über Wasser.
Mira is getting by on a side job until her training starts.
Mit einem Nebenjob names her source of income.
Choosing the reflexive pronoun
The reflexive pronoun follows the subject: ich halte mich über Wasser, du hältst dich über Wasser, sie hält sich über Wasser. In these sentences it takes the accusative.
Use mit plus the dative to name what is helping: mit einem Nebenjob. In the perfect tense, you could say Wir haben uns mit Rücklagen über Wasser gehalten.
Der Laden hat sich im ersten Winter mit Reparaturen über Wasser gehalten.
The shop stayed afloat through its first winter by doing repairs.
A business can be the subject of the idiom.
Figurative and literal readings
Expenses, savings and orders point to the figurative meaning. That also applies when a business is the subject.
At a pool, the words can be literal. Someone who keeps themselves above water while swimming is preventing themselves from sinking.
Wir halten uns gerade so über Wasser, obwohl wir die Öffnungszeiten verkürzt haben.
We are just about staying afloat, even though we’ve cut our opening hours.
Gerade so emphasizes how little room they have to spare.
Everyday conversations
Dialogue about a small shop
Mara tells Tom how she is getting her shop through a difficult period.
- Tom
Kommen während der Baustelle überhaupt noch Leute in den Laden?
Are people still coming into the shop during the construction work?
- Mara
Weniger als sonst. Mit Reparaturaufträgen halte ich mich aber über Wasser.
Fewer than usual. But repair jobs are keeping me afloat.
- Tom
Reicht das für die Miete?
Is that enough to cover the rent?
- Mara
Diesen Monat schon. Danach wird die Straße hoffentlich wieder geöffnet.
It is this month. After that, hopefully the street will reopen.
Usage note
If you do not know someone’s finances, the idiom can sound like speculation about money problems. It fits especially well when people describe their own situation.
Three practice tasks
Try each task before opening the explanation.
What does a tailor mean by Mit kleinen Aufträgen halte ich mich über Wasser?
Answer and explanation
Die Aufträge decken vorerst ihre wichtigsten Ausgaben.
The jobs allow her to keep going on limited means.
Add the reflexive pronoun: Wir halten ___ über Wasser.
Answer and explanation
uns
The reflexive pronoun for wir here is uns.
In which sentence are the words used literally?
Answer and explanation
Die Schwimmerin hält sich mit ruhigen Bewegungen über Wasser.
The swimmer is physically staying at the surface.
What to remember
The idiom describes how someone keeps going despite difficulties. Use mit plus the dative to name the source of income.