adjective / adverb
afloat
uh-FLOHT/əˈfləʊt/
Remaining on the surface of water without sinking.
The small rowboat stays afloat on the gentle blue water.
Etymology
The pieces meant being on water deep enough for a boat. Financially staying afloat uses the image of remaining on the surface rather than sinking: having enough resources to keep going.
In context
he's been dumping a ton of his money every year into making that company stay afloat for as long as it's been around
More examples
- A loan kept the bookstore afloat through a difficult winter.
- Several rumors about the manager's departure are afloat.
- A life jacket helps an exhausted swimmer remain afloat.