破は産さん寸すん前ぜん

noun

on the verge of bankruptcy; near bankruptcy

Describes a person or company that is extremely close to going bankrupt. The gloss 'bumper-to-bumper' is a rare, figurative translation and not a core meaning.

• その会かい社しゃは破は産さん寸すん前ぜんの状じょう態たいだ。

  The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.

• 彼かれは破は産さん寸すん前ぜんまで追おい込こまれた。

  He was driven to the brink of bankruptcy.