Chinese idiom · 成语
捉襟见肘
Meaning
To pull a collar and expose elbows; to be stretched thin or in poverty.
Character by character
Origin and story
Philosophical anecdoteZhuangzi (莊子), Rang Wang (讓王), portrays Zengzi living in Wei in extreme material poverty. His padded robe has no proper outer covering; when he straightens his cap, its strings break. Pulling his clothing together exposes his elbows, and putting on his shoes leaves his heels showing. Yet he sings the Shang hymns with a voice the text compares to resonant metal and stone.
The contrast presents inner purpose as independent of outward comfort. Later usage takes the torn-clothing image beyond poverty: resources are so inadequate that covering one need immediately exposes another. It can describe insufficient money, staffing, or other means.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
两名同事同时请假，店里的人手顿时捉襟见肘。
When two colleagues took leave at once, the shop suddenly found itself short-staffed.
For inadequate resources that leave one unable to meet all demands.