slim budget

USAGE SUMMARY

'slim budget' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a budget that is small or limited in size. For example, "The school had to work with a slim budget this year, so they could not afford to buy new textbooks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

On such a slim budget, even necessities can be hard to cover.

The New York Times

Probably the biggest obstacle filmmakers here face is raising what is usually a small amount of production money, and then finding ways of getting the job done within the slim budget.

The New York Times

His undeniable skill is nowhere to be seen with a flatness permeating throughout, highlighting the slim budget and failing to elevate it as anything but another DTV horror movie.

The Guardian - Film

A Spanish judge ordered Friday that three Moroccans be held on multiple provisional charges of terrorism and murder in the Madrid train bombings, as investigators uncovered new details suggesting that Europe's deadliest terrorist attack in 25 years was carried out on a slim budget by men who used a stolen van and explosives they got free.

The New York Times

Don North, a television producer who has just returned to the United States after serving as an adviser to the network, said he grew frustrated by orders to run programs that in his view were not sound journalism, as well as a slim budget.

The New York Times

We survived comfortably in the end on a slim budget and that's a credit to the people involved.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But health centres work with slim budgets and stock-outs are common.

The Guardian

Several authors of the study said that slim budgets and tight deadlines forced them to compromise sometimes on their choice of computer models and other tools.

The New York Times

— Glenn Collins No Reservations: "The notion that hard working, hard pressed families with little time and slim budgets have to eat crappy, processed food," Anthony Bourdain writes in a fine new blog post, "is nonsense".

The New York Times

For nearly 40 years, the building, a three-story brick structure at the corner of Bleecker Street, has provided low-priced offices and meeting spaces to a host of leftist groups and social justice organizations with slim budgets.

The New York Times

Hollywood is hoping Gary Ross's film will mirror the success of the Twilight films, which have made huge profits by targeting a teenage demographic and shooting annual movies on relatively slim budgets.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial constraints, use "slim budget" to convey a professional and understated tone. This avoids sounding overly negative or alarmist.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "slim budget". Instead of saying "We can't do anything with this budget", try "We need to prioritize resources carefully with this budget."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim budget" functions as a noun phrase, where "slim" modifies the noun "budget". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes a budget that is small or limited in size.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slim budget" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a budget that is small or limited. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in news, business, and science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "tight budget" or "limited budget" exist, "slim budget" offers a slightly more understated tone. When using this phrase, focus on resourcefulness and prioritization rather than dwelling on limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tight budget

Focuses on the restrictive aspect of the budget.

Limited budget

Emphasizes the finite nature of the funds.

Reduced budget

Highlights a decrease in available funds.

Small budget

Indicates the budget is of a lesser scale.

Lean budget

Similar to "slim", but emphasizes efficiency and lack of waste.

Modest budget

Suggests the budget is humble in size.

Austerity budget

Implies severe restrictions due to economic conditions.

Shoestring budget

Highlights extreme frugality and resourcefulness.

Bare bones budget

Emphasizes only essential expenses are covered.

Skeletal budget

Implies the budget is stripped down to the absolute minimum.

FAQs

How can I use "slim budget" in a sentence?

You can say, "Despite the "slim budget", the team managed to deliver excellent results", or "The project was completed on a "slim budget", showcasing impressive resourcefulness".

What are some alternatives to "slim budget"?

Alternatives include "tight budget", "limited budget", or "modest budget", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slim budget" or "small budget"?

"Slim budget" and "small budget" are often interchangeable, but "slim budget" can sometimes imply a more strategic and efficient use of resources, while "small budget" simply refers to the size.

What does it mean to operate on a "slim budget"?

Operating on a "slim budget" means managing with limited financial resources, requiring careful planning and prioritization to achieve desired outcomes.