寅吃卯粮 yín chī mǎo liáng

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. eating away next year's food in advance
  2. fig. to dip into the next month's check
  3. live now, pay later

CHARACTERS

寅 yín to respect, reverence; respectfully; 3rd terrestrial branch
吃 chī
HSK 1
eat; drink; suffer, endure, bear
卯 mǎo 4th terrestrial branch; period from 5-7 a.m.
粮 liáng
HSK 5
food, grain, provisions