The phrase means "to be left with nothing to live on." Most commonly it pertains to money and food (as a result). You can say:
Если я возьму кредит, мне придётся сосать лапу до конца моих дней.
Literally: "If I take a credit, I would have to suck paw for the rest of my life", but it really means "... I would have no money to live on ..."
The phrase takes its origin at the fact that bears suck their paws while hybernating (like they have no other food except their own fingers)
In some other languages I know they say "to lick (or suck) ice", but not sure if it's appropriate in English.
So, do you have anything in mind?
Thanks a lot!
