Grammar fix
tide over
help (someone) through a difficult period
to give someone what they need (often money, food, or support) to help them manage until things improve or until they get what they really need.
phrasal verbC1occasional
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My parents lent me some money to tide me over until I got paid.
If I lost my job, I think my savings would be enough to tide me over for a few months while I look for something new.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Can you lend me £20 to tide over me?
Say: Can you lend me £20 to tide me over?
The person goes in the middle: 'tide me over'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Tide over' is the idiomatic 'keep someone going until things improve'.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
tide over + person
- me over
- you over
- till payday
- until then