exist on a shoestring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exist on a shoestring" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is done with very little money or resources. Example: "The startup managed to exist on a shoestring for the first year before securing additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This fistula center continues to exist on a shoestring, struggling for operating funds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I live on a shoestring.

The Guardian - Sport

As think-tanks go, we live on a shoestring and spend about £700,000 a year".

Independent

Gaming should be included among the entrepreneurial ideas that can be pursued on a shoestring budget.

Forbes

This is a major petrochemical industry, and it can't be run on a shoestring.

The New Yorker

How to be super healthy on a shoestring budget.

TechCrunch

The debt burden is also forcing grads to live at home or on a shoestring budget.

Huffington Post

The sport is a distant relative of that from the days when teams operated out of garages on a shoestring and funding often existed in inverse proportion to enthusiasm.

The Guardian - Sport

To say Mr. Goode is running his campaign on a shoestring would be an understatement.

The New York Times

They'd be small, supporting 30 or 40 men and running on a shoestring.

Wikipedia

The self-funded operation started on a shoestring budget, and Mr Waldegrave says working as a virtual company is the only reason they exist.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exist on a shoestring" to add color and impact to your writing when describing resourceful or minimalist operations.

Common error

While "exist on a shoestring" is widely understood, it may sound informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Opt for alternatives like "operate on a tight budget" or "manage with minimal resources" to maintain a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exist on a shoestring" functions as an idiom, typically acting as a predicate or part of a predicate, describing how something operates or survives. It indicates a state of managing with very limited financial resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exist on a shoestring" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiom that describes operating or surviving with very limited financial resources. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While prevalent in news and general contexts, it may be less suitable for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives such as "operate on a tight budget" might be preferred. The phrase implies resourcefulness and frugality, and appears frequently in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operate on a tight budget

Focuses on the financial aspect, highlighting the constraint of limited funds.

manage with minimal resources

Emphasizes resourcefulness and the ability to achieve results despite limitations.

run on fumes

Suggests operating with almost no resources left, often implying a precarious situation.

scrape by

Focuses on barely surviving or managing to get by with very little.

live hand to mouth

Describes a situation where one's income is only sufficient for immediate needs, leaving no savings.

make ends meet with difficulty

Highlights the struggle to balance income and expenses under financial strain.

economize severely

Implies a conscious effort to cut costs and reduce spending drastically.

cut corners

Suggests compromising on quality or standards to save money.

stretch every penny

Emphasizes the careful and thrifty use of money to make it last.

survive on next to nothing

Indicates a situation of extreme poverty or limited resources, close to bare survival.

FAQs

How can I use "exist on a shoestring" in a sentence?

You can use "exist on a shoestring" to describe a situation where an organization, project, or individual operates with very limited financial resources. For example: "The startup managed to "operate on a tight budget" for the first year."

What does it mean to "exist on a shoestring"?

To "exist on a shoestring" means to operate or survive with very little money or resources. It implies resourcefulness and frugality in managing limited means.

What are some alternatives to saying "exist on a shoestring"?

Some alternatives to "exist on a shoestring" include "operate on a tight budget", "manage with minimal resources", or "run on fumes", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "exist on a shoestring" in formal writing?

While "exist on a shoestring" is widely understood, it might be considered informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "operate on a tight budget" or "manage with minimal resources" to maintain a more professional tone.