Tighten belt

Meaning

The idiom "tighten belt" means to reduce expenses, cut back on spending, or save money. It is a common expression used in everyday language and can be used in various contexts.

• The literal meaning of the phrase is "to make a belt tighter".
• Figuratively, it means to restrict expenditures or to conserve resources.

Usage

• "We need to tighten our belts and cut back on expenses if we want to save money for a down payment on a house."
• "I'm trying to tighten my belt by eating less out and cooking at home more often."
• "Due to the pandemic, many people are tightening their belts and saving as much money as they can."
• "The company is facing financial difficulties, so they've had to tighten their belts and cut some costs."
• "We need to tighten our belts and be mindful of our spending if we want to achieve our savings goals."

Roots and History

The idiom "tighten your belt" dates back to the mid-20th century. It is believed to have originated in the United States and was used to refer to individuals who were trying to save money during times of economic uncertainty. The phrase gained popularity during the Great Depression, when people had to be more frugal and cut back on expenses to get by. Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass a broader range of situations in which people need to reduce their spending. It is now commonly used to refer to individuals and organizations that are facing financial challenges and need to conserve resources.

Synonyms in English

• "Cut corners"
• "Squeeze by"
• "Pinch pennies"
• "Trim budget"
• "Reduce expenses"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Ahorcar gastos"
• French: "Économiser"
• German: "Economieren"
• Italian: "Economare"
• Japanese: "練める"

Similar Idioms

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• take heart

• take over