捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn) — (idiom) to have more problems than one can handle; to be overwhelmed by difficulties (often financial)
Definition
A vivid chengyu image of pulling in one part of the robe only to expose the elbow — meaning resources or ability are stretched so thin that fixing one problem creates another. It emphasizes chronic, systemic shortfall, not a single crisis.
idiom
to have more problems than one can handleto be overwhelmed by difficulties (often financial)
Examples
- 捉襟见肘，。Zhè jiā xiǎo gōng sī zuì jìn zhuō jīn jiàn, zī jīn zhōu zhuǎn fēi cháng kùn nan.This small company is overwhelmed with problems lately, and its cash flow is very difficult.
- ，捉襟见肘，。Xiàng mù tài duō, tā yì rén zhuō jīn jiàn, shí zài máng bú guò lái.With too many projects, he alone is overwhelmed — he really can't manage.
- ，捉襟见肘，。Jiē dào zhè me duō rèn wu, tā gǎn dào zhuō jīn jiàn, yā lì hěn dà.Having received so many tasks, he feels overwhelmed and under great pressure.
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