losing one's livelihood; being unable to make a living
Refers to a situation where one can no longer earn a living, often due to job loss or economic hardship.
More people are losing their livelihoods due to the recession.
suspension of a samurai's rice stipend
Historical term for the discontinuation of a samurai's annual rice allowance, often as a punishment or due to domain financial troubles.
fish swimming upward after biting a hook
Fishing term describing the moment a hooked fish swims toward the surface, creating slack in the line.
In the Edo period, some samurai were ordered to have their rice stipends suspended for misconduct.
If you miss the moment the fish swims upward after biting, it can sometimes get away.
Compound of 食い (kui, 'eating', the continuative form of 食う) and 上げ (age, 'raising', the continuative form of 上げる). Literally 'eating and raising', the meaning extensions are figurative.