What is an example Sentence for stay afloat?

An example sentence for the phrase "stay afloat" is: Three hours is a long time to try to stay afloat in these conditions.

Understanding "Stay Afloat"

The phrase "stay afloat" can refer literally to keeping one's head above water or, more commonly in a figurative sense, to managing to survive, particularly financially or professionally, during a difficult period.

Examples from References

Here are some examples demonstrating the use of "stay afloat," as provided by Collins dictionaries references:

• Literal Sense:

  • Three hours is a long time to try to stay afloat in these conditions.
    This refers to a physical situation where someone is in water and needs to remain on the surface.

• Figurative Sense (Survival/Management):

  • A number of efforts were being made to keep the company afloat.
    This indicates attempts to prevent the company from failing financially.
  • They are borrowing just to stay afloat, not for investment.
    This highlights a financial struggle where borrowing is necessary simply to survive current expenses rather than to grow.

These examples show how "stay afloat" is used in both a literal context related to water and a metaphorical context related to maintaining survival or stability, often financial.