VOA词汇掌故2023--What Does 'On a Shoestring' Mean?

What Does 'On a Shoestring¹' Mean?

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give you definitions, examples, and notes on usage. Sometimes we even use them in conversations.

Today we talk about a common object. Shoestrings² are very useful for keeping our shoes on. But they are also useful for describing a situation where money is tight, meaning there is not much of it.

A budget is the amount of money available for some purpose. So, if you are on a shoestring budget, you do not have a lot of money. You have just enough to get by. If you can get by on very little money, you are able to live on a shoestring. Sometimes we shorten this expression and just say "on a shoestring."

We have other ways of describing this situation. For example, you might say you are living paycheck-to-paycheck. This means you get your paycheck but by the time your next one comes, you have used all your money to pay your bills.

Living paycheck-to-paycheck can also be called living hand-to-mouth. The money goes right into your hand and then you must buy the most basic of necessities – food. You do not have money to spend on extras. Everything you earn goes to pay for your immediate³ needs – things like, food, shelter, medicine, and transportation.

But now let's go back to our shoestrings. You can do a lot of things "on a shoestring."

For example, if you can travel on a shoestring, you travel very cheaply. You do not spend money on costly⁴ hotels. You look for good deals. You might use coupons⁶, discount offers or other ways to save money. And you may plan to travel at less costly times. People who travel on a shoestring are often called budget travelers.

I learned how to travel on a shoestring when I studied in China. As a student, I did not have much money. So I traveled everywhere by train and stayed at universities. Traveling on a shoestring let me go to many more places.

But how did shoestring come to describe a tight budget – one with little money? Well, some word experts say it comes from people who sold small items on the streets. These items often included shoestrings.

Now let's hear two friends use this expression.

A: Hey, I hear you're going on vacation next week. Where are you off to?

B: First, I'm going to Paris and then heading to Barcelona. Finally I'll finish up my trip in Milan.

A: That is some trip! You must have saved up for a long time to have enough money for that kind of travel budget.

B: Not at all! I am an expert at traveling anywhere on a shoestring. In Paris, I'm staying with friends. In Barcelona, I found a cheap dorm room at a university. And in Milan, I'm working on a farm in exchange for a free room and meals.

A: Wow, you are REALLY good at shoestring travel. By not spending a lot of money on hotels, you're able to go to more places.

B: Exactly!

And that's all the time we have for this Words and This Stories.

Are you learning English on a shoestring? If so, keep listening to VOA Learning English. Our high-quality content is free!

Words in This Story

tight – adj. characterized by such difficulty

basic – adj. of, relating to, or forming the base or basis

necessity – n. something that is necessary

earn – v. to receive money in return for effort and especially for work done or services completed

cheaply – adv. available at low cost or at less than the true value

coupon⁵ – n. a voucher⁷ entitling the holder⁸ to a discount for a particular product

discount – adj. selling goods or services for less than their regular

 

dorm room – n. a large sleeping room containing several beds in a college of university

1 shoestring   

n.小额资本；adj.小本经营的

参考例句：

• In the early years,the business was run on a shoestring.早年，这家店铺曾是小本经营。
• How can I take the best possible digital pictures on a shoestring budget?怎样用很小投资拍摄最好的数码照片？

2 shoestrings   

n.以极少的钱( shoestring的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Laura loved him and he was ready to kiss her shoestrings. 劳拉爱他，他都乐于吻她的鞋带。 来自互联网
• Result: The strong shoestrings were easily restored in the semi-solid medium with rich organic nitrogen source. 结果：在富含有机氮的半固体培养基上蜜环菌最易形成粗壮的菌索。 来自互联网

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 coupon   

n.息票，配给票，附单

参考例句：

• The coupon can be used once only.此优惠券只限使用一次。
• I have a coupon for ten pence off a packet of soap.我有一张优惠券买一盒肥皂可以便宜十便士。

6 coupons   

n.礼券( coupon的名词复数 )；优惠券；订货单；参赛表

参考例句：

• The company gives away free coupons for drinks or other items. 公司为饮料或其它项目发放免费赠券。 来自辞典例句
• Do you have any coupons? 你们有优惠卡吗？ 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语

7 voucher   

n.收据；传票；凭单，凭证

参考例句：

• The government should run a voucher system.政府应该施行凭证制度。
• Whenever cash is paid out,a voucher or receipt should be obtained.无论何时只要支付现金，就必须要有一张凭据或者收据。

8 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。