飯めしが食くえない

expression, i-adjective

cannot make a living; can't earn a living

Idiomatic expression meaning one cannot earn enough to live on; literally 'cannot eat rice/meals'. Often used in negative potential form.

• この給きゅう料りょうではとても飯めしが食くえない。

  I can't possibly make a living on this salary.

• 芸げい術じゅつだけでは飯めしが食くえないから、副ふく業ぎょうをしている。

  I can't earn a living from art alone, so I have a side job.