ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cut one's coat according to one's cloth

idiom
Meaning

To live within one's means, without spending more than is affordable.


Examples
SIMPLE

You must cut your coat according to your cloth to save money.

CONTEXTUAL

Since our budget is smaller this year, we need to cut our coat according to our cloth and cancel the vacation.

COMPLEX

The family realized they had to cut their coat according to their cloth, choosing to forgo luxury purchases to ensure they could pay the mortgage.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

© 2026 English Reference