shoestring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, especially in financial/business contexts. The literal sense is neutral.
Quick answer
What does “shoestring” mean?
A thin cord or leather strip used to fasten shoes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin cord or leather strip used to fasten shoes; the primary literal meaning referring to a type of lace.
A very small or barely adequate amount of money, especially as capital for a business venture; operating with minimal resources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word. The literal item is more commonly called a 'shoelace' in both, but 'shoestring' is understood. The metaphorical financial sense is identical in use.
Connotations
Identical connotations of frugality and limited means in the metaphorical sense.
Frequency
The metaphorical phrase 'on a shoestring' is slightly more frequent in American English corpora, but is standard in both.
Grammar
How to Use “shoestring” in a Sentence
[business/venture] runs/operates on a shoestring[person/group] started [venture] on a shoestringa shoestring [budget/operation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoestring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- They are known for their shoestring-budget filmmaking.
- It was a classic shoestring operation.
American English
- He managed a shoestring campaign for city council.
- The team's shoestring finances were a constant worry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to startups or projects operating with minimal capital: 'They launched the magazine on a shoestring.'
Academic
Rare, except in economics or business case studies discussing low-capital entrepreneurship.
Everyday
Used to describe personal frugality or small-scale projects: 'We decorated the flat on a shoestring.'
Technical
Not a technical term. May appear informally in project management to denote severe budget constraints.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoestring”
- Using it as a standalone adjective (*'a shoestring company') instead of in its correct collocational frame ('a company run on a shoestring').
- Confusing 'shoestring' with 'shoestore' or other shoe-related terms.
- Overusing the literal sense; 'shoelace' is more common for the object itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its literal sense, yes, they refer to the same object. However, 'shoelace' is the more common modern term for the physical lace, while 'shoestring' is strongly associated with its financial metaphor.
Not strictly by itself. It is used attributively in fixed compounds like 'shoestring budget' or 'shoestring operation', where it functions as a noun modifying another noun. You wouldn't say 'The budget is very shoestring'.
It likely originates from late 19th/early 20th century America, comparing meagre financial resources to something as thin and insubstantial as a shoelace. It evokes the image of having just enough to 'tie things together'.
Yes, but only visually. 'Shoestring fries' are cut very thin, resembling thin cords or laces. This is a separate, culinary metaphor based on the literal shape of a shoestring, not related to the financial meaning.
A thin cord or leather strip used to fasten shoes.
Shoestring is usually informal, especially in financial/business contexts. the literal sense is neutral. in register.
Shoestring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃuːstrɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃuːˌstrɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a shoestring”
- “shoestring operation”
- “shoestring budget”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine trying to tie together a business deal with a literal, flimsy shoestring instead of a strong contract. This visual captures the fragility of a 'shoestring budget'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIMITED RESOURCES ARE A THIN, INSUBSTANTIAL CORD (versus a strong rope or cable of ample funding).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'shoestring' LEAST likely to be used metaphorically?