“Tighten one's belt”in other languages

Same idea, different pictures

English and French pull the belt tighter, se serrer la ceinture, as you do when you're eating less. French can also take in sail, réduire la voilure, like a ship slowing down in rough weather.

Russian and Hungarian go further, to real hunger. Russian puts its teeth on the shelf, положить зубы на полку: there's nothing left to chew. Hungarian says the chin wears out, felkopik az álla, from chewing on nothing.