寅吃卯粮 yín chī mǎo liáng

live now, pay later

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
寅 yín
3rd earthly branch; time 3-5 a.m.; Tiger year
吃 chī HSK 1
to eat; to consume; to eat at (a cafeteria etc)
卯 mǎo
4th earthly branch; 5–7 a.m.; rabbit year
粮 liáng HSK 5
food; grain; provisions