The term 'EKE OUT A VICTORY' is an idiom which means to achieve a victory with great difficulty or by a narrow margin. It is derived from the Old English verb 'eacan', which means to increase or add to something. The crossword solutions for this term are 'EKE' (3 letters) and 'EKES' (4 letters). EKE is a verb meaning to make do with little, while EKES is a noun meaning a meager addition or supplement.