when ends are tight 手头缺钱的时候（非正式）

英文释义

In an emergency situation; when there is not sufficient money available for whatever is needed.

例句

I don’t like to borrow money from my rich uncle for my new business, but when ends are tight, I can ask him for a little, and he’ll help me.

我不想为了我的新公司就从我有钱的叔叔那里借钱，但在手头缺钱的时候，我可以管他借一点，他也会帮我。