犬いぬの川かわ端ばた歩あるき

expression, noun

window-shopping without money; going out and returning empty-handed

Idiomatic expression evoking the image of a dog walking along a riverbank, finding nothing to eat. Used for an outing where one ends up buying or eating nothing, often due to lack of money.

• 財さい布ふを忘わすれて、犬いぬの川かわ端ばた歩あるきになってしまった。

  I forgot my wallet and ended up just walking around without buying anything.

• 給きゅう料りょう日び前まえはいつも犬いぬの川かわ端ばた歩あるきだ。

  Right before payday, I always go out and come back empty-handed.