Idiom question

[ROEBUCK-JOHNSON, AIMEE M. (JSC-AH) (NASA)]

In a April 19 article from the Associated Press about Russian-American space
cooperation (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4772754
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4772754> ) my student read the following

But there are tensions. The Russians want more recognition from NASA for
their efforts to keep the space station manned at the expense of its own
space programs.

"Russia is taking off its last pair of pants, while the United States and
Japan are cutting down their (space) budgets," said Sergei Gorbunov, the
chief spokesman for Russia's space agency. "This cannot last long."

Could you please tell me whether to take off one's last pair of pants is a
Russian idiom and, if so, how it would be in Russian?

Thank you in advance.

Aimee Roebuck-Johnson
English/Russian Language Instructor
English Program Administrator
TechTrans International, Inc. at NASA
2101 Nasa Road 1
Houston, Texas  77058
desk:  281/483-0774
fax:  281/483-4050
aimee.m.roebuck-johnson at nasa.gov <mailto:aimee.m.roebuck-johnson at nasa.gov>


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