on a shoestring . on a shoestring {adv. phr.} With little money to spend; on a very low budget. The couple was seeing Europe on a shoestring. Categories: add yours {adv. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: O Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry