To pull one's lapel only to expose one's elbow (describing tattered clothes); (fig.) to be in a difficult financial situation, unable to make ends meet, or to be stretched to the limit, struggling to cope with multiple demands simultaneously.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
The idiom 'Zhuo Jin Jian Zhou' originates from a story about Zeng Zi (Zeng Shen), a disciple of Confucius. During his time in the state of Wei, Zeng Zi often went without a meal for three days and hadn't made new clothes for ten years. His attire was so ragged that when he adjusted his robe, his elbow would show through, and when he tied his hat, its strings would break.
Despite his poverty, he would sing the 'Shang Song' (Odes of Shang) with a voice that filled the heavens and earth, like the sound of chimes.
The ruler of the state of Lu, hearing of his plight, sent an envoy to offer him a fief (land and its income), saying, 'Please use this income to make some new clothes.' Zeng Zi refused the offer. The envoy came a second time, but Zeng Zi still declined.
The envoy then asked, 'This is not something you requested, but rather something the ruler wishes to bestow upon you, why do you not accept?' Zeng Zi replied, 'Those who receive often fear the givers, and givers often become arrogant towards those they give to. I worry about whether the ruler, after granting me this fief, would still treat me without arrogance.'