The term 'BARELY MANAGES' can be broken down into four crossword solutions: EKES (4 letters), EKE (3 letters), EKESOUT (7 letters), and MAKESDO (7 letters). EKES is a verb meaning to manage with difficulty or to make do with little. EKE is a verb meaning to manage with great effort or to make do with what one has. EKESOUT is a verb meaning to manage with extreme difficulty or to make do with very little. MAKESDO is a verb meaning to manage with whatever is available or to make do with what one has. All of these terms refer to the idea of managing with limited resources or making do with what one has.