be lean times ahead

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be lean times ahead

To be entering into a period of time in which money is not plentiful or one is not successful. Judging from our earnings forecast for the next quarter, there are some lean times ahead. There will be lean times ahead if they cut my hours. I don't know how I'll earn enough to put food on the table. Sure, I knew there would be lean times ahead, but I didn't expect the economy to fall apart so soon after we got married.
See also: ahead, lean, times
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