shoestring

[ shoo-string ]

noun

1. a shoelace.
2. a very small amount of money.
3. shoestrings. shoestring potatoes.

adjective

1. consisting of or characterized by a small amount of money:

   living on a shoestring budget.

shoestring

/ ˈʃuːˌstrɪŋ /

noun

1. another word for shoelace
2. informal.
   1. a very small or petty amount of money (esp in the phrase on a shoestring )
   2. ( as modifier )

      a shoestring budget

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoestring¹

First recorded in 1610–20; shoe + string

Idioms and Phrases

see on a shoestring .

Example Sentences

Instead, Harjo remained in Tulsa, making movies on shoestring budgets about Native characters.

From Time

They are all understaffed, operating on shoestring budgets, and simply cannot afford to lose a grant of $50,000, $100,000 or more.

From Washington Blade

During his decade in Oakland, Melvin became one of the more respected managers in either league, a veteran known for a steady hand and getting the most out of an Athletics’ roster annually compiled on a shoestring budget.

From Washington Post

AmazonIf you’re starting a podcast on a shoestring budget, don’t worry.

From Popular-Science

She worked tirelessly on a shoestring budget with a staff that peaked around three to identify and set free innocent men behind bars.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• frivolous
• immaterial
• inconsequential
• insignificant
• irrelevant
• meaningless
• negligible
• null
• trivial
• unnecessary
• useless
• worthless