unable to make ends meet; in straitened circumstances
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to be in straitened circumstances; to be unable to make ends meet; to be out at elbows
formalDescribes a situation where one's resources, capabilities, or finances are insufficient to meet all demands. Often used in financial contexts or when juggling multiple tasks that exceed one's capacity.
Gōng公
sī司
zī资
jīn金
liàn链
duàn断
liè裂
，
jīng经
yíng营
de得
zuǒ左
zhī支
yòu右
chù绌
。
The company's capital chain broke, leaving it in straitened circumstances.
Tā他
tóng同
shí时
dǎ打
sān三
fèn份
gōng工
，
réng仍
rán然
gǎn感
dào到
zuǒ左
zhī支
yòu右
chù绌
，
rù入
bù不
fū敷
chū出
。
He works three jobs simultaneously, but still feels overwhelmed and unable to make ends meet.
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Miàn面
duì对
duō多
xiàn线
zuò作
zhàn战
，
jūn军
duì队
zuǒ左
zhī支
yòu右
chù绌
，
nán难
yǐ以
jiān兼
gù顾
。
Faced with fighting on multiple fronts, the army was stretched thin and unable to cover all positions.
Zhè这
gè个
yuè月
kāi开
xiāo销
tài太
dà大
，
wǒ我
de的
yù预
suàn算
zuǒ左
zhī支
yòu右
chù绌
。
This month's expenses were too high, and my budget is completely strained.