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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
tighten your belt
cut your expenditure; live more frugally.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017