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
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
- tighten 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