belt-tightening vs but

belt-tightening

noun
  • A reduction in expenditure, often as a result of financial restrictions. 

adj
  • Causing or involving a reduction in expenditure. 

but

noun
  • A limit; a boundary. 

  • An instance or example of using the word "but". 

  • The outer room of a small two-room cottage. 

  • The end; especially the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end; the butt. 

adv
  • Though, however. 

  • Merely, only, just, no more than 

conj
  • Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "except such that". 

  • However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand (introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence). 

  • Used to link an interjection to the following remark as an intensifier. 

  • On the contrary, rather (as a regular adversative conjunction, introducing a word or clause in contrast or contradiction with the preceding negative clause or sentence). 

  • Used at the beginning of a sentence to express opposition to a remark. 

prep
  • Outside of. 

  • Apart from, except (for), excluding. 

How often have the words belt-tightening and but occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )