tighten one's belt

1. Spend less, be more frugal, as in Business has been bad, so we'll have to tighten our belts. This metaphoric term alludes to pulling in one's belt after losing weight from not having enough to eat. [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

I've been hungry many a time, but now I know what it means to have to tighten one's belt.

From Project Gutenberg

There was nothing to do except to tighten one's belt, and to write editorials showing up the selfishness of the farming class and prophesying the improvement of the currency.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conserve 
• cut down 
• scrimp