belt-tightening

plural belt-tightenings · alternative belt tightening

1. informalA reduction in expenditure, often as a result of financial restrictions.

   2 more examples

   By Mr. de Blasio’s third year in office, the city was employing 287,002 full-time workers, more than at any other point in its modern history, and the number continued to rise until the pandemic. The head count fell to about 313,000 as of September because of belt tightening but is expected to grow in the coming year.

   2021 December 31, Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “De Blasio’s Costly Legacy: The Biggest City Work Force Ever”, in The New York Times

   "We need to avoid going cap in hand to government all the time to get the capital projects and rail improvements that we all want." That's the message from SLC Rail Strategy Director Ian Baxter, who has instead called on industry stakeholders, local authorities, and other scheme sponsors to be more "financially innovative" in response to economic belt-tightening in Whitehall departments.

   2022 November 30, Paul Stephen, “Network News: Industry urged to be more innovative on rail funding”, in RAIL, number 971, page 18

comparative more belt-tightening · superlative most belt-tightening · alternative belt tightening

1. informalCausing or involving a reduction in expenditure.

   The message coming out of 10 and 11 Downing Street is that a belt-tightening autumn statement will include both tax increases and public spending cuts. Ahead of Jeremy Hunt’s announcement on 17 November , the pitch is being carefully rolled.

   2022 November 1, Larry Elliott, “Jeremy Hunt’s austerity plans likely to create a strong sense of deja vu”, in The Guardian

alternative belt tightening

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of belt-tighten