live on the smell of an oil rag
To live very frugally, economically, or sparingly; to survive with very meager resources. Primarily heard in Australia, Canada. I spent a year travelling abroad, and I lived on the smell of an oil rag to get by. We're going to have to live on the smell of an oil rag now that we have a fourth baby on the way.
live (or survive) on the smell of an oil rag
live in conditions of extreme want. Australian