To have more problems than resources can handle; to be in a difficult situation with insufficient means.
拉一拉衣襟，就露出臂肘。形容衣服破烂。比喻顾此失彼，穷于应付。
《庄子·让王》十年不制衣，正冠而缨绝，捉襟而肘见，纳履而踵决。”
With so many bills to pay, his budget was truly 'pulling the lapel to reveal the elbow.'
Learn the next connected idiom: 捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu) → 周而复始 (zhōu ér fù shǐ)
Want to explore more random idioms? Try our 🎲 Chinese Idiom Generator