den Gürtel enger schnallen
to tighten one's belt; to economise and cut back
Origin
The origin is not fully certain; the image arises from the weight loss caused by hunger and fasting, where a person grown thinner must buckle the belt tighter. The first written records date from the end of the 19th century.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Absolute accusative and free adjunctsAbsoluter Akkusativ und freie Angaben
Examples
Nach dem Jobverlust wir den enger schnallen.
After losing the job, we have to tighten our belts.