budget
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budget (something) for (something)
To set aside a specific amount of something, often money or time, for something else (such as an expense or task). Did you budget enough money for all of your bills this month? I was almost late to class because I didn't budget enough time for editing my paper.
See also: budget
budget crunch
A financial situation in which resources are limited. We're in a real budget crunch and can't afford a setback like this right now.
budget dust
A small and/or inconsequential amount of money, often as remains after a larger budgeted amount is spent. To most people, $2,000 is a lot to spend on anything, but to the country's mega rich, it is merely budget dust. After paying for all of those repairs, only budget dust is left over.
budget squeeze
A financial situation in which resources are limited. We're in a real budget squeeze and can't afford a setback like this right now.
champagne taste on a beer budget
Expensive or extravagant tastes or preferences that are beyond one's economic means. I only earn minimum wage, but I can't stop buying designer clothes and eating at the best restaurants—I guess I've got champagne taste on a beer budget!
fussbudget
informal One who tends to be fussy or particular, usually to an excessive or unnecessary degree. Primarily heard in US. Don't be such a fussbudget, huh? This really isn't a big deal. Of course Vanessa found some miniscule issue that no one else would have noticed. She's such a fussbudget.
shoestring budget
A budget or allotment of resources that is very meager, sparse, or just enough to suit its purpose. Unfortunately, due to government cutbacks following the recession, our department has had to produce the same levels of work on a shoestring budget. I did all sorts of traveling with just a shoestring budget when I was in college. You learn very quickly how to make the most of what you have!
See also: budget, shoestring
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
budget something for someone or something
to set aside a certain amount of money for someone or something. Did you budget some money for the holiday party? I budgeted a few hundred a month for Andrew's college expenses.
See also: budget
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
budget for
v.
To set aside some amount of money for something or someone: For the party, we budgeted $1,000 for musicians and food.
See also: budget
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
budget
mod. [of something] of low quality or cheap. Don’t you dare bring back any of that budget pizza!
budget dust
n. a minor amount of money considering the size of the entire budget; money left over at the end of the budget year. The amount is just budget dust, chump change! What’s the big deal?
budget squeeze
and budget crunch n. a situation where there is not enough money in the budget. Facing another budget squeeze, the legislators were forced to put off their pay increase. If it wasn’t for the budget crunch, I’d get a good raise this year.
budget crunch
verbSee budget squeeze
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.