捉襟见肘(捉襟見肘)
捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu) literally means “pulling collar reveals elbows”and expresses “hard-pressed; financially stretched”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: zhuo jin jian zhou, zhuo jin jian zhou,捉襟见肘 meaning, 捉襟见肘 in english
Pronunciation: zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu Literal meaning: Pulling collar reveals elbows
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes clothing so worn that pulling (捉) the collar (襟) reveals (见) the elbows (肘). The vivid image of poverty - clothes so tattered they cannot cover the body - originated in historical descriptions of destitute scholars. The phrase evolved to describe any situation of severe shortage where resources are insufficient to cover basic needs. Modern usage commonly describes tight budgets, understaffing, or any situation where demands exceed available resources.
When to Use
Situation: The budget constraints left the department financially stretched.
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Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Return to one's roots; go back home
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 捉襟见肘 mean in English?
捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu) literally translates to “Pulling collar reveals elbows”and is used to express “Hard-pressed; financially stretched”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..
When is 捉襟见肘 used?
Situation: The budget constraints left the department financially stretched.
What is the pinyin for 捉襟见肘?
The pinyin pronunciation for 捉襟见肘 is “zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu”.