Definitions

1. 1. lit. the mountain dweller lives off the mountain, the shore dweller lives off the sea (idiom)
2. 2. fig. to make the best use of local resources
3. 3. to exploit one's position to advance oneself
4. 4. to find one's niche
5. 5. to live off the land

Components

• 靠山 kào shān – patron
• 吃 chī – to eat
• 山 Shān – surname Shan
• 靠 kào – to lean against or on
• 水 Shuǐ – surname Shui
• 吃水 chī shuǐ – drinking water