細々(ほそぼそ)と

Describes something continuing only on a small, barely-sustained scale. Often paired with 続(つづ)ける, 暮(く)らす, or 生活(せいかつ)する.

Note the reading: as an adverb of 'barely' it is ほそぼそと; the same characters read こまごまと mean 'in fine detail.'

Common collocations

• 細々(ほそぼそ)と暮(く)らす: to live a modest, hand-to-mouth life
• 細々(ほそぼそ)と続(つづ)ける: to keep something going on a small scale

Similar words

• かろうじて: barely; only just — emphasizes a narrow margin, not an ongoing modest scale
• つつましく: modestly; frugally — a positive nuance of restraint