famine

be poor; want, lack, starve, live from hand to mouth, have seen better days, go down in the world, come upon the parish; go to the dogs, go to wrack and ruin; not have a penny (money), not have a shot in one's locker; beg one's bread; tirer le diable par la queue; run into debt (debt)., render poor; impoverish; reduce, reduce to poverty; pauperize, fleece, ruin, bring to the parish.