口くちを糊のりする

expression, suru verb (irregular)

eke out a living; barely get by

Idiomatic expression meaning to scrape together a meager livelihood, often with the implication of just managing to keep oneself fed.

• 彼かれは小ちいさな畑はたけで口くちを糊のりしている。

  He ekes out a living from a small field.

• その作さっ家かは原げん稿こう料りょうでどうにか口くちを糊のりしていた。

  The writer barely managed to get by on manuscript fees.