Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding Skimp On: Definition & Usage

"When one skimp on essentials, they often find that the smallest savings can lead to the greatest losses in life's journey."

📖 Definition

To skimp on means to use resources sparingly or insufficiently, often diminishing quality or value, in an attempt to save money or effort.

Examples in context

Companies often skimp on employee benefits to improve the bottom line.
Never skimp on quality when buying safety gear.
They skimp on travel costs, choosing cheaper accommodations.

📖 Definition

To skimp on means to use resources sparingly or insufficiently, often diminishing quality or value, in an attempt to save money or effort.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Cannot be split with an object.

Informal

Typically used in casual or informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object in a sentence.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	skimp on	People often skimp on groceries to save money.
Past Simple	skimped on	She skimped on sleep last night, feeling exhausted today.
Present Continuous	skimping on	He's skimping on fabric to cut costs.
Present Perfect	have skimped on	We have skimped on maintenance, leading to breakdowns.

💡 When to Use

Cutting corners financially

Use when someone is reducing costs, leading to a decline in quality or completeness.

Example: "They skimp on heating bills by using fewer radiators."

Incomplete tasks

When effort or resources are lacking, resulting in something unfinished or insufficient.

Example: "He skimped on his homework, earning a lower grade."

Limited resources

When working with limited means, often leading to subpar results.

Example: "Despite being short on funds, they never skimped on their children's education."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Misplacement in the sentence

❌ Wrong: They on materials skimped.

✅ Correct: They skimped on materials.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'skimp on' should be directly followed by what is being skimped on.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She skimp on training last year.

✅ Correct: She skimped on training last year.

💡 Tip: Past activities use 'skimped on'.

Using with intransitive verbs

❌ Wrong: He skimp on very often.

✅ Correct: He skimps on very often.

💡 Tip: Always pair 'skimp on' with a direct object.

Practice

SKIMP ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

Companies often skimp on employee benefits to improve the bottom line.
Urban Compact Living
2
Listen to example

Never skimp on quality when buying safety gear.
Urban Compact Living
3
Listen to example

They skimp on travel costs, choosing cheaper accommodations.
Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

scrimp on cut back on

Antonyms

splurge

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"One should never ___ on health care if they can avoid it."

skip

skimp on

skim

skimped

In Context

In 1912, the RMS Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage, promising luxury and safety. However, one tragic flaw was its lifeboat capacity; the ship famously skimped on them to create more opulent spaces. Despite regulations requiring enough lifeboats for all passengers, the designers prioritized aesthetics. The decision to skimp on such a critical safety feature proved catastrophic when the ship struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. With only 20 lifeboats, accommodating about half of the people aboard, chaos ensued as passengers struggled for survival. Many lifeboats were launched underfilled due to panic and poor training, highlighting another area where the crew skimped on crucial emergency preparedness. The tragedy of the Titanic serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers inherent in skimping on safety for luxury. As news of the sinking spread, it became a symbol of human hubris and neglect. In the aftermath, international maritime regulations were overhauled, ensuring that ships would never again skimp on safety standards. The lives lost became a somber testament to what can happen when skimping replaces prudence.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Skimp On

What is the origin of skimp on?

The phrasal verb 'skimp on' derives from the verb 'skimp', which emerged in the mid-19th century meaning to economize or be sparing. Its origins are linked to the Scandinavian dialect, notably Norwegian, where similar words conveyed the sense of being meager or insufficient.

Can skimp on be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Skimp on' is primarily used in informal contexts. It's suitable for casual conversations or writing and may not be ideal for formal or academic settings unless discussing specific, relatable situations where the phrase’s informal tone is appropriate.

What is the difference between skimp on and cut back on?

While both imply reducing expenditure or effort, 'skimp on' suggests doing so inadequately, affecting quality. 'Cut back on' indicates intentional reduction, not inherently negative, and can apply to resource-management or efficiency measures without affecting quality.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

SKIMP ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Skimp On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega