“束紧腰带”常见的英文表达有 “tighten one's belt” 或 “pull in one's belt”，这两个短语都形象地传达了在经济上节俭、减少开支以应对困难时期的意思，与中文“束紧腰带”所表达的节约、克制消费的内涵相契合。
例如：
With the rising cost of living, we have to tighten our belts from now on.（随着生活成本的上升，从现在起我们不得不节俭度日了。）
During the economic downturn, everyone had to pull in their belts and make do with less.（在经济不景气时期，每个人都不得不节衣缩食，凑合着过。）