左支右絀 zuǒ zhī yòu chù

to be in straitened circumstances

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to be in straitened circumstances

Characters

Character Meaning
左 zuǒ HSK 2
left; surname Zuo; the Left (politics)
支 zhī HSK 4
branch; to support; to sustain
右 yòu HSK 2
right (-hand); the Right (politics); west (old)
絀 chù
deficiency; to stitch; crimson silk