A four-character idiom meaning to be deeply distressed or exhausted, sighing with difficulty because things are not going well.
プロジェクトは予算不足で青息吐息だ。
The project is in dire straits due to lack of budget.
受験生は毎日勉強に追われ、青息吐息の毎日を送っている。
Exam students are overwhelmed by daily studying and spending each day in distress.
会社は売上が落ちて青息吐息だが、皆で工夫して立て直そうとしている。
The company is struggling with falling sales, but everyone is trying to find ways to recover.