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- cut coat according to cloth
cut coat according to cloth
cut one's coat according to one's cloth
and cut one's coat to suit one's clothProv. to plan one's aims and activities in line with one's resources and circumstances. We would like a bigger house, but we must cut our coat according to our cloth. They can't afford a vacation abroad—they have to cut their coat according to their cloth.
cut your coat according to your cloth
also cut your cloth according to your means to only buy what you have enough money to pay for Of course we'd love a huge expensive house, but you have to cut your coat according to your cloth.