word choice - Up or down a notch?


(I apologize for the silly question ahead)


I've lost some weight recently, and I was able, for the first time today, to close my belt buckle using a notch higher than usual...


For the life of me I can't figure out if I "went up a notch" or "down a notch"?


Is this phrase even applicable for an actual belt?



Answer



down a notch means down a level. It is used in sentences like



Turn the volume down a notch.



or, figuratively, in sentences like



Anyone who names a board game after himself needs to be taken down a notch or two.
Soon he was taken down a notch.



The expression you are looking for is probably to notch (something) tighter.



She notched her belt tighter.



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