tighten your belt

US /ˈtaɪ.tən jʊər bɛlt/
UK /ˈtaɪ.tən jʊər bɛlt/
"tighten your belt" picture
1.

den Gürtel enger schnallen, sparen

to spend less money than you did before because you have less money

:
Due to the economic downturn, many families have to tighten their belts.
Aufgrund des Wirtschaftsabschwungs müssen viele Familien den Gürtel enger schnallen.
If we want to afford that vacation, we'll have to tighten our belts for a few months.
Wenn wir uns diesen Urlaub leisten wollen, müssen wir ein paar Monate den Gürtel enger schnallen.