stretch (one's) legs according to the coverlet

stretch (one's) legs according to the coverlet

To not spend more money than one makes; to adapt to one's current financial situation. The image is of one positioning oneself as best as possible in a bed that is too small. This new job doesn't pay as well as my old one, so I really need to stretch my legs according to the coverlet and budget responsibly.
See also: accord, leg, stretch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head