keep one's head above water勉强逃脱困境（尤指财务困境）；奋力避免陷入困境（尤指财务困境）；设法不举债；挣扎求存；勉强维持生计；艰难求存，挣扎求生，生活窘迫

keep your head above water，字面意思是“保持你的头在水面上”，这个习惯用语源自于游泳。游泳的人都知道，要把头放在水面上才不会呛水，这是一种很形象的表达方式。在水中遇到麻烦的时候，人们也是千方百计让头部露出水面，不要被淹死而挣扎求生。

作为习语，keep one’s head above water用来喻指人或团队、组织奋力挣扎求生存求发展，尽量摆脱一种困境、麻烦、债务，尤其是因欠债而造成的困境。常用于描述在困难时期人们努力挣扎勉强维持生计，避免陷入财务困境；企业在经济困难（萧条）的时期奋力保持不欠债，挺过困境或时期。

to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive

应对困难的情况，尤其是你有财务问题的情况，并设法生存下来

例句：

We are keeping our head above water, but our cash flow position is not too good.

我们正努力避免陷入困境，但我们的现金流动情况不太好。

《柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典》

The business is in trouble, but we are just about keeping our heads above water.

公司遇到了一些问题，但我们还是得勉强应付下去。

It's quite challenging for a lot of businesses to keep their head above water amid fierce competition and severe labor shortages.

竞争激烈同时劳动力极度短缺使很多企业惨淡经营，难以为继。

The small business struggled to keep its head above water during the pandemic.这家小企业在疫情期间很难勉力维持生计。

The business isn’t good, but we’re keeping our heads above water.

尽管生意不景气，但我们仍在努力维持避免陷入困境。

During the economic recession, many families struggled to keep their heads above water.在经济衰退期间，许多家庭都在努力维持生计。

Thanks to the ongoing energy and financial crisis in the UK, many British families are struggling and can barely keep their head above water.

当前英国的能源和金融危机导致很多英国家庭生活拮据，捉襟见肘。

After the unexpected medical expenses, they had to take drastic measures to keep their heads above water.在意外的医疗费用后，他们不得不采取极端措施来勉力维持生计。

The community came together to help those who were struggling to keep their heads above water.社区团结起来帮助那些勉力维持生计的人。

Despite the setbacks, they were determined to keep their heads above water and overcome the challenges.尽管遭遇挫折，他们决心勉力维持生计，并克服挑战。

Despite losing her job, she managed to keep her head above water by taking on part-time work.

尽管失去了工作，她还是通过做兼职工作勉力维持生计。

A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job.

一个失业的人在找到新工作之前要努力不欠债。

With all the bills piling up, it's becoming harder for him to keep his head above water.随着所有账单的堆积，他越来越难以勉力维持生计。

He's been trying to keep his head above water in the competitive job market.在竞争激烈的就业市场上，他一直在努力保持生存。

She felt like she was drowning in debt and couldn't keep her head above water.她感觉自己深陷债务，无法勉力维持生计。

She's been working two jobs just to keep her head above water and support her family.她为了勉力维持生计和养家糊口，一直在做两份工作。

Before the new highway was built, I could easily fill every table in my restaurant. These days, with fewer diners, it's become a struggle to stay in business. I'm barely keeping my head above water. I don't know how much longer I can afford to stay open.

没有那条高速公路的时候，我的餐馆里总是坐得满满的。可是如今，客人少多了，钱越来越难赚，小店只能惨淡经营，难以为继。我真不知道还能坚持多久。

My wife and I are excited about furnishing our new house in North Carolina. But since we still haven't sold our old place back in Massachusetts, it's been a huge financial challenge. So far we've kept our heads above water. We only hope we can find a buyer soon!

我跟太太正在装修北卡罗来纳州的新房子，兴奋极了。但是因为我们在麻萨诸塞州的旧房子还没有脱手，所以财务上压力很大。到目前为止，我们还能勉强支撑着，真希望能尽快找到买主。