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Phrase(s): tighten one’s belt
Fig. to manage to spend less money; to use less of something. (See also take one’s belt in (a notch).) • Things are beginning to cost more and more. It looks like we’ll all have to tighten our belts. • Times are hard, and prices are high. I can tighten my belt for only so long.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs