Close; parsimonious; saving; as, 'a man tight in his dealings.' Close; hard; as, 'a tight bargain.'--Webster. To these American uses of the word is to be added another similar to the last. When money is difficult to be procured by discounting, &c., business men say, 'the money-market is tight,' or 'money is tight.' In this sense it is the opposite of easy, which see.
The money market, except on the best stocks, is getting tight, and there is a general calling in of loans upon the "fancies."--N. Y. Tribune.
A close or even match, as of two persons wrestling or running together; and hence a difficulty. 'The...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
i. e. hard squeezing. Said of anything difficult to accomplish.--Sherwood's Georgia. ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.