shoestring

a. 小本经营的
n. 零星资本,小额资本

He started his business on a shoestring. It took a lot of hard work and clever planning to build up it up to where it is today.

他的公司是小本经营开办起来的，经过不少的艰苦劳动和苦心规划，才发展到今天这个样子。

He missed an attempt for a shoestring catch and the ball rolled to the bullpen.

他错过了球快落地时抢接的机会，球滚到场外替补队热身区去了。