出处：按学科分类—语言、文字 中国对外翻译出版公司《汉英成语词典》第25页（225字）
比喻暂时勉强维持生存，例他们自知法网难逃，四处藏匿也只是苟延残喘。
They knew they could not escape the law in the long run．In the meantime，by hiding here and there，they managed to keep body and soul together．