Question of the Day #1109

U.S. economic growth slows as consumers tighten their belts

From the headline of this article at CBS News.

  上記の文で、tighten one's beltの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "tighten one's belt" mean?

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔腹が減ったときに空腹感を紛らわすために〕ベルトをきつく締める
2. 〈比喩〉〔収入が減ったので〕出費を抑える、生活を切り詰める、倹約する、耐乏生活をする、経費を節減する

問題の見出しの場合の意味は、当然2番の比喩のようになります。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To reduce, restrict, or limit one's budget; to live more modestly or make financial sacrifices.

 

Examples

• A: "I don't know what we'll do now that you lost your job." B: "Don't worry, we just need to tighten our belts for a while."
• Living on my own during college taught me how to tighten my belt and get by on not very much.
• I have a feeling my son will be tightening his belt this semester since we decided to give him a strict allowance rather then sending him money every time he asked.
• I've decided to move to a warmer place so I'm going to tighten my belt over the next year and save as much money as possible before I leave.
• I've been tightening my belt for a year and I've just paid off one credit card—only four more to go.

   

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