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

be reduced to abject poverty

be penniless, have no money

To have a wrinkle on the brow, to be frown, knit the brow.

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

present a far-fetched idea or argument

hit upon a novel idea

be very miser

disgrace, cause disgrace

be hard up, have no money

wages for odd days or for a break in work

trying to be a spendthrift in poverty

be penniless, be poor, have no money