live off smell of an oily rag
live off smell of an oily rag
To live very frugally, economically, or sparingly; to survive with very meager resources. Primarily heard in Australia, New Zealand. I spent a year travelling abroad, and I lived off smell of an oily rag to get by. We're going to have to live off smell of an oily rag now that we have a fourth baby on the way.
See also: live, of, off, oily, rag, smell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- live on the smell of an oily rag
- oily
- live on the smell of an oil rag
- skimp on
- skimp on (something)
- scrimp on
- scrimp on (something)
- lodging
- board and lodging
- brother of the blade