belt-tightening

American  

[belt-tahyt-n-ing] / ˈbɛltˌtaɪt n ɪŋ /

noun

1. a curtailment in spending; period of economizing.

   The mayor ordered a belt-tightening for all city offices.

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Etymology

Origin of belt-tightening

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“Our 2026 budget is not the sharp drop-off it might at first appear to be, but rather, it is a continuation of a belt-tightening that is already under way,” acting Chair George Botic said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But growing AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and belt-tightening driven by higher costs likely played a role as well.

From MarketWatch

“Some industries are correcting after the hiring boom of the pandemic, but this comes as AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and rising costs drive belt-tightening and hiring freezes,” Andy Challenger, chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray and Christmas, said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Belt-tightening is overused corporate jargon, but it is particularly apt at the moment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some 30,000 positions will be cut in a belt-tightening move expected to begin on Tuesday, multiple news outlets reported.

From Barron's

Related Words

• decline
• reduction
• reversal