5

So, yes, I have been losing weight, so far down 4kg and 2 to 3 inches in waist.

I am happy and when I was trying to say to someone that now I can wear my belt tighter, I don't know how to say it because I wonder:

  • Is there a specific name for the holes on the belt?
  • Is there a specific verb for wearing a belt?

In the end, I said "I can now comfortably buckle 2 to 3 holes tighter when wearing my belt."

Sure, it is easy enough to be understood, but is there a better way of expressing that? Also, can I use "buckle" here for belt, in a same sense that it is used in "buckle up" (car seat-belt)? I know the word buckle actually refers to the rectangular metal thing that holds the belt in place, but the best I could think of is "buckle two holes tighter".

JSBձոգչ
  • 54,843
Gapton
  • 790
  • 1
    Related: Up or down a notch? – RegDwigнt Dec 29 '11 at 15:02
  • If you're happy about the situation then be careful to imply that when describing your belt; belt-related idioms in English often imply undesired weight loss. If someone says for instance that their company is "belt-tightening" it usually means that there have been layoffs or a reduction in employee benefits or some other unpleasant cost-cutting measures. – Eric Lippert Dec 29 '11 at 16:31

3 Answers3

7

Notch is the word you are looking for to refer to holes in the belt. And I think there is no specific word for "wearing a belt", this is correct as per my knowledge. And I tightened my belt after losing some weight. It's similar to "tightening shoe lace".

RegDwigнt
  • 97,231
Apoorva
  • 792
  • 1
    I have absolutely no idea why the word "notch" didn't come to mind at the time. Thanks. – Gapton Dec 30 '11 at 02:35
  • Please be aware that as per my knowledge isn’t “real English”. For details please see the answers to such questions as 1, 2, 3. – tchrist Jan 11 '21 at 19:44
3

I would suggest you say:

Since I lost some weight I've been able to cinch my belt tighter.

bryan kennedy
  • 131
0

Notch refers to the holes in a belt. However, it is the flopper that sticks inside the notch. Hence, I believe the following sentence would be appropriate.

I can now comfortably flopper two to three notches tighter (or down) when wearing a belt.

RegDwigнt
  • 97,231
javaDisciple
  • 215
  • 3
    I would find "I can now wear my belt two or three notches tigher" clearer. – Henry Dec 29 '11 at 12:26
  • 3
    Even clearer, in my mind: I can now tighten my belt two or three extra notches. –  Dec 29 '11 at 14:37
  • 5
    I don't think this definition of flopper is widely understood or used. In fact, the three dictionaries I just checked (dictionary.com, merriam-webster, and wiktionary) do not contain anything resembling this definition. Are you sure you have the right word? – Marthaª Dec 29 '11 at 16:12
  • Now that just sounds dirty. – Nate Eldredge Dec 29 '11 at 16:53
  • Flopper is seldom used. I blame my memory, but I read it in a book as the flopper referring to the stick. But am sure flopper is the word I read, don't remember the book though. – javaDisciple Dec 30 '11 at 05:57