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/Sounds like "ah" (as in "art") + "EE" (as in "eagle") + "LAH" (as in "lava") + "YEH" (as in "yes") + "boh" (as in "boat")/

Meaning

The classic Mexican reply to "how are you?" meaning not great, not terrible, just getting by and grinding through it. It's everyday resignation turned into a phrase.

Examples

How's life treating you? Oh, just hanging in there, fighting the good fight.

Just getting by with the job, lots of work and not much pay.

Regional synonyms

Someone from a privileged background who has never had to struggle, and it shows. In Mexico, cachetón carries a tone of light envy: this person has the latest car, new clothes, and a face that has never worried about a paycheck. Not necessarily flashy, but the comfort is obvious.