tighten (one's) belt
tighten (one's) belt
To reduce, restrict, or limit one's budget; to live more modestly or make financial sacrifices. A: "I don't know what we'll do now that you lost your job." B: "Don't worry, we just need to tighten our belts for a while. Living on my own during college taught me how to tighten my belt and get by on not very much.
See also: belt, tighten
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
tighten one's belt
Fig. to manage to spend less money; to use less of something. (See also take one's belt in (a notch).) Things are beginning to cost more and more. It looks like we'll all have to tighten our belts. Times are hard, and prices are high. I can tighten my belt for only so long.
See also: belt, tighten
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
tighten one's belt
Spend less, be more frugal, as in Business has been bad, so we'll have to tighten our belts. This metaphoric term alludes to pulling in one's belt after losing weight from not having enough to eat. [First half of 1900s]
See also: belt, tighten
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
tighten your belt
COMMON If you tighten your belt, you make an effort to spend less money. Clearly, if you are spending more than your income, you'll need to tighten your belt. He recently announced the club will have to tighten its belt next season, saying he will lower wages and sell players. Note: You can also talk about belt tightening. Yesterday's vote means that the Greeks are prepared to accept a period of belt tightening. The nation's second largest bank announced a series of layoffs and other belt-tightening measures today to counteract heavy losses.
See also: belt, tighten
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
tighten your belt
cut your expenditure; live more frugally.See also: belt, tighten
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
tighten your ˈbelt
spend less money, eat less food, etc. because there is little available: In wartime everyone has to tighten their belts. We’ll have to tighten our belts if we want to save any money for a summer break this year. OPPOSITE: throw your money about/around ▶ ˈbelt-tightening noun: Continued government belt-tightening has helped to reduce public debt.See also: belt, tighten
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
tighten one’s belt
tv. to prepare for economies. (see also take one’s belt in (a notch).) The entire country will have to tighten its belt.
See also: belt, tighten
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
tighten (one's) belt
To begin to exercise thrift and frugality.
See also: belt, tighten
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- tighten belt
- tighten one’s belt
- tighten one's belt
- tighten your belt
- pull in (one's) belt (a notch (or two))
- take (one's) belt in (a notch (or two))
- take belt in
- take in (one's) belt (a notch (or two))
- take one’s belt in
- take one’s belt in a notch