<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li><p>(used without object)</p><ul><li>To be sparing or frugal; economize (often followed by on):<ul><li>Example: They scrimped and saved for everything they have.</li><li>Example: He spends most of his money on clothes, and scrimps on food.</li></ul></li><li><strong>Synonyms</strong>: scrape, save, stint, skimp.</li></ul></li><li><p>(used with object)</p><ul><li>To be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely:<ul><li>Example: To scrimp food.</li></ul></li><li>To keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for:<ul><li>Example: To scrimp their elderly parents.</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>