ADJ-GRADED [usually ADJ n]经济拮据的;穷困潦倒的 If someone is living in straitened circumstances, they do not have as much money as they used to, and are finding it very hard to buy or pay for everything that they need. 经济拮据的;穷困潦倒的 [formal]
His father died when he was ten, leaving the family in straitened circumstances.
他 10 岁时父亲去世了,家里生活变得很拮据。
There is much talk of cuts in the diplomatic service in these straitened times.