live from hand to mouth不要理解为“从手到嘴生活”，而是指用“手”干活后只够“嘴上”吃的，即“仅能糊口，收入勉强糊口”。

【例句】
In early days, many people live from hand to mouth.
在早年，许多人都是过着勉强糊口的日子。

For him, let him work as long as those who live from hand to mouth, he will be satisfied.
对于他来说，只要有份工作让他糊口他也就心满意足了。