いっぱいいっぱい

na-adjective, adverb, noun

to the limit; at one's limit; breaking even

Describes being at the absolute limit of one's capacity, resources, or time; often used when barely managing or just scraping by. The 'breaking even' nuance appears in financial or scheduling contexts.

• 今こん月げつの予よ算さんはもういっぱいいっぱいだ。

  This month's budget is already stretched to the limit.

• 仕し事ごとが忙いそがしくて、毎まい日にちいっぱいいっぱいです。

  Work is so busy that I'm at my limit every day.

na-adjective, adverb, noun

one cup after another; cup by cup

Literal meaning of drinking or pouring one cup after another in succession. Rarely used in modern conversation; the figurative sense is far more common.

• 彼かれは酒さけを一いっ杯ぱい一いっ杯ぱいとあおった。

  He downed one cup of sake after another.