1. to spend less money than you did before because you have less money; to practice strict economy

1. Wally’s boss won’t give him a pay raise, and his rent went up. Now he has to tighten his belt.

2. Things are beginning to cost more and more. It looks like we’ll all have to tighten our belts.

3. Times are hard, and prices are high. I can tighten my belt for only so long.

4. Many small businesses are tightening their belts because of the slow economy.