cut, pare, etc. something to the boneidiomPart ofbonecut, pare, etc. something to the bonecut, pare, etc. something to the bone — idiomidiom1. To reduce something, especially costs, as much as possible.1.idiomDefinitionTo reduce something, especially costs, as much as possible.ExampleThe company had to cut its budget to the bone.We pared our expenses to the bone to survive.