too little to go around; scarce resources
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
too many people and too little to go around; not enough to share among many
Often used to describe situations where demand exceeds supply, such as competitive job markets or limited resources divided among many people.
Zhè这
gè个
zhí职
wèi位
dài待
yù遇
hěn很
hǎo好
，
dàn但
shēn申
qǐng请
zhě者
zhòng众
duō多
，
zhēn真
shì是
zhōu粥
shǎo少
sēng僧
duō多
。
The position offers excellent benefits, but there are so many applicants—truly a case of too many people and not enough to go around.
Jiǎng奖
xué学
jīn金
míng名
é额
yǒu有
xiàn限
，
shēn申
qǐng请
zhě者
què却
hěn很
duō多
，
xíng形
chéng成
le了
zhōu粥
shǎo少
sēng僧
duō多
de的
jú局
miàn面
。
There are limited scholarship spots but many applicants, creating a situation where demand far exceeds supply.
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Zhōu粥
shǎo少
sēng僧
duō多
，
jìng竞
zhēng争
zì自
rán然
fēi非
cháng常
jī激
liè烈
。
With too little to go around and too many people wanting it, competition is naturally fierce.