shoestring

Meaning

Noun

1. (US) The string or lace used to secure a shoe to the foot; a shoelace.
2. (attributive, figuratively, often) An object that is long and thin, like a shoestring (sense 1).
3. (attributive, figuratively, often) An object that is long and thin, like a shoestring (sense 1).
4. (attributive, figuratively, often) Chiefly in on a shoestring: very little money; a tight budget.

Adj

Of a catch or tackle: made near the ground, close to a player's shoes.

Verb

1. (transitive) To tackle (a player) using a shoestring tackle (“one made near the ground, close to a player's shoes”).
2. (transitive) To catch (a ball) using a shoestring catch (“one made near the ground, close to a player's shoes”).

Synonyms

shoelace

shoe string

shoe lace

shoe-lace

tab

tie

wire

electric wire

zigzag line

latchet

bootlace

current lead

cord

curve

Translations

cordón

lacet

Schuhsenkel

schoenveter

κορδόνι παπουτσιών

رباط الحذاء

Schnur

Kurve

cordó de les sabates

Zickzacklinie

κορδόνι

Schnürsenkel

κορδόνι υποδημάτων

Biegung

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃuːstɹɪŋ/

Etymology

The noun is derived from shoe + string. The adjective is derived from the noun, while the verb is derived from terms such as shoestring catch and shoestring tackle.