skeleton (staff|crew)
1
the minimum staff required for a business to run at a basic level
The idiom "skeleton staff" originates from the idea of a skeletal structure, which provides the basic support necessary for an organism or structure to survive. The phrase is used to describe any situation where the bare minimum of resources or personnel is used to accomplish a task or goal.
- By the time the new employees were hired, the department had been operating with a skeleton crew for several months.
- During the holidays, the store operates with a skeleton crew to save on payroll costs.
- If the strike continues, the airline will have to operate with a skeleton crew to keep some flights running.
- When the power went out, the hospital had to operate with a skeleton staff until the generators kicked in.