belt-tightening
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of belt-tightening
First recorded in 1935–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It will nonetheless mean some belt-tightening at an institution that previously kept on receiving increases through some tough years for public spending.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
Few observers think the union is girding for another showdown, especially at a time when many of its members are struggling to find work amid media consolidation and belt-tightening.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2026
It has also argued that it could turn belt-tightening to its advantage by offering frozen versions of eat-out favorites such as P.F.
From Barron's ● Feb. 23, 2026
The changes are stripping work trips of whatever shred of glamour they had after years of belt-tightening.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
But growing AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and belt-tightening driven by higher costs likely played a role as well.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2025
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
