skimp

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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.
See also: and, save, skimp

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.
See also: and, save, scrimp

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!
See also: on, skimp

scrimp and save

 and pinch and scrape
to 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.
See also: and, save, scrimp

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.
See also: on, skimp

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]
See also: and, save, scrimp

skimp on

v.
To fail to provide for or supply something appropriately; be stingy with something: That pizzeria always skimps on the pepperoni.
See also: on, skimp
References in periodicals archive ?
In a display of sympathy for the working press, AAI had skimped on lunch, providing only a meager tray of cold cuts and a basket of chips.
Paper Targets
Like the rest of the models in the Japanese company's ranks, Mazda have not skimped on equipment.
Demio just Mazda be a success
These representatives, in turn, made the business of Albany's government business, skimped on provision for the poor and rejected petitions that would have had them enforce moral order through prohibitionist or sabbatarian restrictions.
The Rude Hand of Innovation: Religion and Social Order in Albany, New York, 1652-1836
That offset persistent weakness in the US as shoppers skimped on purchases of soft drinks.
COCA-COLA profits climbed 19 per [...]; Business IN BRIEF
THERE might be acred it crunchon, but ITV1 haven't skimped on the big names for this all-singing spectacular.
tv choice: best sing-a-long; Divas II, ITV1 Wales, tonight, 8pm
The area of preemployment checks should not be skimped. Often companies do not undertake checks when someone moves from a temporary position to a permanent one.'
Checks help beat fraud
Mechanics failed to spot errors such as split wiper blades and nails in tyres and skimped on essential brake checks.
Car con scandal
The study for Which?magazine also discovered mechanics who skimped on essentials such as checking brakes, or carried out unnecessary work.
Services are poor
And he denied at the fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of 21 people that cleaning was skimped by staff working "flat-out".
Riddle of E Coli in factory
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