左支右絀 zuǒ zhī yòu chù

DEFINITIONS

  1. to be in straitened circumstances

CHARACTERS

左 zuǒ
HSK 2
left; east; unorthodox, improper
支 zhī
HSK 4
disperse, pay; support; branch
右 yòu
HSK 2
right; west; right-wing
絀 chù sew, stitch; insufficient