v. phr. To make (something) the least or smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra or unnecessary from. Father cut Jane's allowance to the bone for disobeying him. When father lost his job, our living expenses had to be cut to the bone.
CUT TO THE BONE
Meaning of CUT TO THE BONE in English
American idioms English vocabulary. Английский словарь американских идиом. 2012