belt-tightening vs extenuation

belt-tightening

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

adj
  • Causing or involving a reduction in expenditure. 

extenuation

noun
  • The action of lessening, or seeking to lessen, the guilt of (an offence or fault) by alleging partial excuses; and instance or means of doing this; a plea in mitigation of censure. 

  • The action of representing (something) as slight and trifling; underrating; an instance of this, a plea to this end; a modification in terms. 

  • The action or process of making or becoming thin; an instance of this; a shrunken condition; leanness, emaciation. 

  • Thin garments. 

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