吃土
chītǔ
Literally says
to eat dirt
Actually means
so broke after spending that dirt is all you can afford
When to say it
The natural sequel to duòshǒu. After the shopping festival or after paying rent, you declare you will be eating dirt until payday. Dramatic and funny, very common among students and young workers. Keep it light, this is not real poverty talk.
Hear it in the wild
买了机票，下个月吃土。
Mǎi le jīpiào, xià ge yuè chītǔ.
Bought the flight tickets, eating dirt next month.
月底了，我已经开始吃土。
Yuèdǐ le, wǒ yǐjīng kāishǐ chītǔ.
End of the month, the dirt diet has begun.