Tighter than a bull's butt at fly-time

Meaning

Extremely tight, stingy, or uncomfortable.

Usage

Describes stinginess or extreme tension.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Southern farmers described bulls clamping down when flies buzzed.

Recorded in rural American speech in the mid-20th century.