捉襟肘见

[成语]
zhuō jīn zhǒu jiàn

[含义]
指整一整衣襟就露出肘子。形容衣衫褴褛。引申为顾此失彼，处境困难。

[来源]
《庄子·让王》：“十年不制衣，正冠而缨绝，捉衿而肘见。”

[例句]
只为一向窘迫，～，便东涂西抹不来，所以诸事胆怯。 清·李绿园《歧路灯》第七十七回


[英文]
Pull on the lapels only to expose the elbows. have too many difficulties to cope with