belt-tightening

[ belt-tahyt-n-ing ]

noun

1. a curtailment in spending; period of economizing:

   The mayor ordered a belt-tightening for all city offices.

Word History and Origins

Origin of belt-tightening¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The message of all this Chanel belt-tightening is that the rich are not just like you and me.

From The Daily Beast

But in an era of belt-tightening, is passion enough to survive?

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• decline
• reduction
• reversal