Until now, most suits didn't have any belts to tighten.

At the same time many working people have had their belts tightened for them as factories closed and unions accepted cutbacks.

She was wearing the same shift she wore when he first saw her, but a belt had tightened it around her waist.

Consultants warn that economic conditions will call for even more belt tightening next year in the industry as a whole.

Not all belts are tightening on Wall Street.

He also won his case for safety: from 1970, all drivers could start the race sitting in their cars with the belts tightened properly.

As their bellies shrank and their belts tightened, conversation diminished, too.

"We have a temporary problem right now with our huge transfers to the East, and we have to keep our belts tightened."

Washington, D.C., had an estimated two years before the belt tightened.

He was put into his seat with a quick shove, and the belt tightened around him.