囊中羞涩 náng zhōng xiū sè

DEFINITIONS

  1. to be embarrassingly short of money

CHARACTERS

囊 náng bag, purse, sack; put in bag
中 zhōng central; center, middle; in the midst of; hit (target); attain
羞 xiū disgrace, shame; ashamed; shy
涩 sè astringent; harsh; uneven, rough