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3. cut coat according to cloth

cut coat according to cloth

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cut one's coat according to one's cloth

 and cut one's coat to suit one's cloth

Prov. 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.

See also: accord, cloth, coat, cut

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.

See also: accord, cloth, coat, cut