shoe·string 
/ˈʃu:ˌstrɪŋ/ noun
plural shoe·strings /ˈʃu:ˌstrɪŋ/ noun 1 [count] US : shoelace 2 [singular] informal : a small amount of money — usually used in the phrase on a shoestring ▪ She started/began the business on a shoestring. [=using very little money] ▪ The newspaper operates/runs on a shoestring. ▪ The movie was made on a shoestring. — often used before another noun ▪ The business is operating on a shoestring budget. ▪ The store is a shoestring operation right now.
