粥かゆ腹ばら

noun

living on rice gruel; subsisting on thin rice porridge

Describes a state of poverty or austerity where one can only afford the simplest food, typically rice gruel. Often used in historical or literary contexts.

• 粥かゆ腹ばらで日ひ々びをしのぐ生せい活かつだった。

  It was a life of getting by on rice gruel day after day.

• 粥かゆ腹ばらの苦くるしさをしのんで勉べん学がくに励はげんだ。

  He endured the hardship of living on rice gruel and devoted himself to his studies.