Word for “someone who makes a little go a long way”

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I’m searching for a word that means someone who manages to make a little go a long way, or who manages to do a remarkable job given very little resources.

Specifically, I am envisioning someone who is teetering on poverty but can still put together a feast on short notice, or who can make a fancy dress out of rags, etc.

I imagine there’s likely to be a word like this among the “expanded English language” from contributions by immigrant and diaspora communities, but if so I’m not aware of it.

single-word-requests

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edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

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asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

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up vote
2
down vote

favorite

I’m searching for a word that means someone who manages to make a little go a long way, or who manages to do a remarkable job given very little resources.

Specifically, I am envisioning someone who is teetering on poverty but can still put together a feast on short notice, or who can make a fancy dress out of rags, etc.

I imagine there’s likely to be a word like this among the “expanded English language” from contributions by immigrant and diaspora communities, but if so I’m not aware of it.

single-word-requests

share|improve this question

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

up vote
2
down vote

favorite

I’m searching for a word that means someone who manages to make a little go a long way, or who manages to do a remarkable job given very little resources.

Specifically, I am envisioning someone who is teetering on poverty but can still put together a feast on short notice, or who can make a fancy dress out of rags, etc.

I imagine there’s likely to be a word like this among the “expanded English language” from contributions by immigrant and diaspora communities, but if so I’m not aware of it.

single-word-requests

share|improve this question

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

I’m searching for a word that means someone who manages to make a little go a long way, or who manages to do a remarkable job given very little resources.

Specifically, I am envisioning someone who is teetering on poverty but can still put together a feast on short notice, or who can make a fancy dress out of rags, etc.

I imagine there’s likely to be a word like this among the “expanded English language” from contributions by immigrant and diaspora communities, but if so I’m not aware of it.

single-word-requests

single-word-requests

share|improve this question

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

edited 58 mins ago

Laurel

23.9k54689

23.9k54689

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

asked 1 hour ago

James Nostack

112

112

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

James Nostack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Resourceful

American Heritage via thefreedictionary

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

A person can still be resourceful even if they lack material resources.

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
  – Weather Vane
  42 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Somebody who makes a lot out of little is thrifty:

[Merriam-Webster]

1 : given to or marked by economy and good management

// if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

frugal TFD
adj.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

As in:

Known for his frugality, he did a remarkable job given few resources.

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

I would use underdog for someone who is expected to lose.

There are also some synonyms for underdog that may achieve what you want. Dark horse ?

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
  – ffunenga
  55 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
  – Weather Vane
  46 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
  – ffunenga
  41 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No, dark horse means something else too.
  – Weather Vane
  40 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
  – Tommy Tran
  29 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Resourceful

American Heritage via thefreedictionary

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

A person can still be resourceful even if they lack material resources.

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
  – Weather Vane
  42 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

Resourceful

American Heritage via thefreedictionary

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

A person can still be resourceful even if they lack material resources.

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
  – Weather Vane
  42 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

Resourceful

American Heritage via thefreedictionary

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

A person can still be resourceful even if they lack material resources.

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

Resourceful

American Heritage via thefreedictionary

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

A person can still be resourceful even if they lack material resources.

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 16 mins ago

edited 16 mins ago

edited 16 mins ago

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

answered 42 mins ago

Pam

1,5261115

1,5261115

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
  – Weather Vane
  42 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
  – Weather Vane
  42 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
– Weather Vane
42 mins ago

Just beat me! UV. In the Oxford Dictionary "Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties."
– Weather Vane
42 mins ago

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Somebody who makes a lot out of little is thrifty:

[Merriam-Webster]

1 : given to or marked by economy and good management

// if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Somebody who makes a lot out of little is thrifty:

[Merriam-Webster]

1 : given to or marked by economy and good management

// if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

up vote
0
down vote

Somebody who makes a lot out of little is thrifty:

[Merriam-Webster]

1 : given to or marked by economy and good management

// if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

Somebody who makes a lot out of little is thrifty:

[Merriam-Webster]

1 : given to or marked by economy and good management

// if you are thrifty, you can find ways to decorate your room stylishly yet inexpensively

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

answered 1 hour ago

Jason Bassford

11.9k21135

11.9k21135

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

frugal TFD
adj.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

As in:

Known for his frugality, he did a remarkable job given few resources.

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

frugal TFD
adj.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

As in:

Known for his frugality, he did a remarkable job given few resources.

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

up vote
0
down vote

frugal TFD
adj.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

As in:

Known for his frugality, he did a remarkable job given few resources.

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

frugal TFD
adj.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

As in:

Known for his frugality, he did a remarkable job given few resources.

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

answered 46 mins ago

lbf

13.1k21353

13.1k21353

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

I would use underdog for someone who is expected to lose.

There are also some synonyms for underdog that may achieve what you want. Dark horse ?

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
  – ffunenga
  55 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
  – Weather Vane
  46 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
  – ffunenga
  41 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No, dark horse means something else too.
  – Weather Vane
  40 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
  – Tommy Tran
  29 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

I would use underdog for someone who is expected to lose.

There are also some synonyms for underdog that may achieve what you want. Dark horse ?

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
  – ffunenga
  55 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
  – Weather Vane
  46 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
  – ffunenga
  41 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No, dark horse means something else too.
  – Weather Vane
  40 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
  – Tommy Tran
  29 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

up vote
-1
down vote

I would use underdog for someone who is expected to lose.

There are also some synonyms for underdog that may achieve what you want. Dark horse ?

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

I would use underdog for someone who is expected to lose.

There are also some synonyms for underdog that may achieve what you want. Dark horse ?

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

answered 1 hour ago

ffunenga

323

323

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
  – ffunenga
  55 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
  – Weather Vane
  46 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
  – ffunenga
  41 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No, dark horse means something else too.
  – Weather Vane
  40 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
  – Tommy Tran
  29 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
  – ffunenga
  55 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
  – Weather Vane
  46 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
  – ffunenga
  41 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  No, dark horse means something else too.
  – Weather Vane
  40 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
  – Tommy Tran
  29 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
– ffunenga
55 mins ago

Something sketchy is happening here. Why is my answer wrong?
– ffunenga
55 mins ago

1

1

Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
– Weather Vane
46 mins ago

Not my DV but that is not what "underdog" means. Far from it, the question is about a word for someone who knows how to extract magic from nowhere. That is no underdog.
– Weather Vane
46 mins ago

Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
– ffunenga
41 mins ago

Ok, now I see it. I agree about underdog not being it. But Dark Horse makes sense, no?
– ffunenga
41 mins ago

No, dark horse means something else too.
– Weather Vane
40 mins ago

No, dark horse means something else too.
– Weather Vane
40 mins ago

@ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
– Tommy Tran
29 mins ago

@ffunenga "Dark horse" usually refers to competitions of some sort. Making a fancy dress out of rags for your granddaughter as a birthday gift is an amazing feat, but isn't a competition or anything. But when the horse no one betted on snags first place from the top contender, you've got a dark horse.
– Tommy Tran
29 mins ago

add a comment | 

James Nostack is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

 

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