stay afloat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Now, you’re having to choose whether you want to have children or stay afloat in your career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Billy-Jo Pierce says she is "living in survival mode", juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in Bristol, the UK's second most expensive city.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

He saw leasing part of his land to a solar company as a way to stay afloat and keep the land in the family.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

A growing share of middle-income workers report taking on debt or relocating to lower-cost housing simply to stay afloat.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

I couldn’t get my breath; I couldn’t stay afloat; I couldn’t tell which way to swim.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien