tighten the purse strings
tighten one's belt

Networking providers have been hurt badly by the economic downturn, as major customers in the telecommunications business have tightened their purse strings.

Universal tightened its purse strings, and within months it moved to end its partnership with Mr. Lorenzo.

Low confidence in the economy usually means that consumers tighten their purse strings and cut spending.

Consumers have been tightening their purse strings, but they still need and want to make purchases.

That's when the real learning process began," he said, "not just acquiring the properties but convincing lenders who had tightened their purse strings to finance me.

Ms Kavanagh says: "The recession has caused everyone to tighten their purse strings.

Or has Washington merely tightened its purse strings in an effort to persuade the hospitals to follow suit?

Foreign lenders tightened their purse strings.

Councils around the region are set to tighten their purse strings after the Government announced spending levels for the coming year.

Business has been brisk at shopping centres in the run-up to Christmas despite many families tightening their purse strings amid financial uncertainty.