have just the necessities of living; have only bare necessities at home; no savings; have nothing more than ❍ 他家住在穷乡僻壤，～。His family lived in a remote and backward place and had only the bare necessities at home. ❍ 他们除双手外，别无长物，其经济地位和产业工人相似。(《毛泽东选集》 8) Possessing nothing but their hands,the coolies in the cities are similar in economic status to the industrial workers.