To pull one's lapel only to expose one's elbow; describes someone wearing ragged clothes, or struggling to make ends meet and unable to cover all needs; in a dilemma.
他家境贫寒，常常捉襟肘见，生活十分拮据。
His family was poor, and he often found himself pulling at his lapels only to expose his elbows, leading a very hard life.
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