idiom · informal
on a shoestring
UK/ɒn ə ˈʃuː.strɪŋ/US/ɑn ə ˈʃuː.strɪŋ/on a SHOES·tring
with a very small amount of money; cheaply or with a very limited budget
Examples
“They started the business on a shoestring and gradually expanded.”
“We decorated the flat on a shoestring, using second‑hand furniture.”
“Travel writers often praise backpackers who explore cities on a shoestring.”
Band 8 sentence
“The charity managed to deliver essential services on a shoestring, which impressed many donors.”
Collocations
- on a shoestring budget / operate on a shoestring
Word family
Common mistakes
on shoe string→on a shoestring
with shoestring budget→on a shoestring (budget)
Say it for a higher band
5cheaply→6on a tight budget→7+on a shoestring
Synonyms
with minimal funds
on a tight budget
Easily confused
on a tight budget
“They were traveling on a tight budget and stayed in hostels.”
Related words
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In Money
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