on a shoestring
adverbial phrase · Idiom / expression C2
Plain meaning
with very little money
Exam-register meaning
with extremely limited financial resources
In context
naturalThey travelled across the country on a shoestring.
examMany community organisations operate on a shoestring despite providing essential services.
Common collocations
operate on a shoestringtravel on a shoestringbudget on a shoestring
Watch out
Do not say “in a shoestring”; the phrase is on a shoestring.