A notch in/on/to your belt

[piggy386]

What are the meaning of these?
I don't quite get it.
Anyone can explain a little bit?
Thanks.

[Tdol]

It means a success- in the old days of the Wild West people used to make a mark on their belt when they killed someone.

[piggy386]

Originally Posted by tdol

It means a success- in the old days of the Wild West people used to make a mark on their belt when they killed someone.

Thanks for the explanation.
But why there're some alternatives? I thought on the belt is correct in that context...care to explain further about the difference of using "in" and "to"

[Tdol]

I'd use 'on'. I haven't heard the others used.

[piggy386]

Originally Posted by tdol

I'd use 'on'. I haven't heard the others used.

Oh I see. Then, I assume people use "in" and "to" incorrectly.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by piggy386

Oh I see. Then, I assume people use "in" and "to" incorrectly.
Thanks.

I think it depends on context.

I think to add a notch to your belt, letarally means to make another hole in your belt to be able to expand it...say after your stomach gets much bigger from a huge meal. Something I am well familiar with after a big Christmas dinner...
same idea with "off"
If I stay on Atkin's diet, I will knock a notch off my belt.
= You let your belt out a notch.

I also think a notch in one's belt might be used figuratively meaning...giving you extra breathing room.

If I subscibe to A&T long distance plan, it will put an extra notch in my belt. It will cut my long distance bills in half.

Also, it can stand for an accomplishment.

Good going, Liz, another notch in your belt! Keep up the good work!
It's an extra notch in your belt in dealing with difficult students!

I have the feeling that even though the phrase exists, it might be regional, we don't use that particular phrase at all. This is not to say it's not out there and used more often by others...

[Tdol]

The more I think about it, the more I feel 'in' is OK- I'm having second thoughts about it.