To be pinched for every cowrie, to be in great distress, to be reduced to a beggary.

be reduced to abject poverty

be reduced to abject poverty

be penniless, have no money

be reduced to abject poverty

regard as of no value or unworthy of notice

be hard up, have no money

be good-for-nothing, be of no use or worthless

be penniless, be poor, have no money

To have a hard time.

chatter, brag, bother much

be humbled, face the music, be set right, come to one's senses

The chain of events

human being

wages for odd days or for a break in work