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.
During several stretches since the pandemic, however, deep drops in sentiment haven’t corresponded with any real belt-tightening by shoppers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The low unemployment will help keep households afloat, but expect some belt-tightening to start taking place by May—especially if price pressures remain elevated.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
But aware of the risks, it has brought in a series of belt-tightening measures - including declaring Wednesdays a public holiday and bringing in fuel rationing.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 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
The company had already been undergoing scattered instances of belt-tightening.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 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.
