tighten

tighten your belt

to spend less than you did before because you have less money. I've had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full-time.

See also: belt

tighten the purse strings

to reduce the amount of money that can be spent. If the economy gets any weaker, it will be necessary for the government to tighten the national purse strings still further.

See also: purse, string

tighten the reins

to start to control something or someone more carefully. She has tightened the reins on her younger sons in an effort to curb their wild behaviour before it's too late. (often + on)

See also: reins

tighten/turn the screws on someone (informal)

put the screws on someone - to use force or threats to make someone do what you want. The police are turning the screws on drivers who don't wear their seat belts by fining them.

See also: screw, turn

---

tighten your belt

to spend less money. I've had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full time.

See also: belt

tighten the screws on someone/something

to make it harder for someone to do something. Government agencies need to tighten the screws on illegal immigrants. We are putting the screws on that country to end its history of helping terrorists.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put the screws to someone or something: The owners could really put the screws to the players.

See also: screw