n.

1. 【美】鞋带[C]
2. 【口】小额资本[S1]
   He started his business on a shoestring and built it up gradually.

   他以微薄的资金创业，然后慢慢壮大。

   The film was made on a shoestring.

   这部电影以很少的投资拍成。

   They don't amount to a shoestring.

   它们不值什么钱。

3. 马铃薯条（= shoestring potatoes）

a.

1. 鞋带似狭长的
2. 【口】资金极少的；小规模的
   The agency was a shoestring operation at first.

   这家经销店刚开始时是小本经营的生意。

3. 微弱的，不牢靠的
4. 【美】（近）踝部的

n.

1. N. Amer. a shoelace.
2. informal a small or inadequate budget:
   living on a shoestring.