Francophonie· easy
se serrer la ceinture
“to tighten one's belt”
Meaning
To cut back on spending and live frugally
Explanation
Cutting back when money's tight, exactly like the English 'tighten your belt'.
Example
Depuis qu'elle a perdu son emploi, elle doit se serrer la ceinture.
Since she lost her job, she's had to tighten her belt.
Origin
Origin uncertain.
More like this
- avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurreto want two incompatible things at once
- coûter les yeux de la têteto be extremely expensive
- mettre du beurre dans les épinardsto improve one's financial situation
- retourner sa vesteto switch sides for personal gain
- vendre la peau de l’oursTo count on a success before it's actually happened
- avoir de l’eau dans la caveTo be wearing trousers that are too short