feel pinched
To be or feel constrained by recent financial hardship. We've been feeling pinched since my wife's restaurant closed down. I've had to take on a second job just to make ends meet. Many families are going to feel pinched if this new tax is passed.
feel pinched
and feel the pinchFig. experiencing hardship because of having too little money. The Smiths used to go abroad every year, but now that he's retired, they're really feeling pinched. You're bound to feel the pinch a little when you're a student.