skimp
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scrimp and save
To spend as little money as possible; to be especially frugal, especially with the aim of saving up for something bigger. Ever since we had our second child, we've had to scrimp and save to make sure they both get what they want for Christmas.
skimp and save
To reduce or limit one's spending in order to save money. I'd love to go out to dinner with you, but I'm really skimping and saving right now. I'm sorry, honey, but your father and I can't afford to buy you a new bike right now—you'll have to work more hours and skimp and save.
skimp on (something)
To choose to consume or spend on something very sparingly or frugally as a way of conserving one's money or resources. I got so used to skimping on food when I was broke so that I could afford my rent. Now that I have a decent salary, it's hard not to have the same mentality. We cut corners where we had to so that we could afford the wedding we wanted, but we made sure not to skimp on a good photographer!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
scrimp and save
and pinch and scrapeto be very thrifty; to live on very little money, often in order to save up for something. We had to scrimp and save in order to send the children to college. The Smiths pinched and scraped all year in order to go on a Caribbean cruise.
skimp on something
to use too little of something; to save something by using less of it than needed for something. Please don't skimp on the gravy. i like my potatoes swimming in it. They skimped on quality a little when they furnished the lobby.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
scrimp and save
Economize severely, spend as little as possible, as in For years we had to scrimp and save, but now we can enjoy life more. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
skimp on
v.
To fail to provide for or supply something appropriately; be stingy with something: That pizzeria always skimps on the pepperoni.
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.