PURSE STRINGS Definition & Meaning

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purse strings

plural noun

the right or power to manage the disposition of money:
in control of the family purse strings.

purse strings

plural noun

control of finance or expenditure (esp in such phrases as hold or control the purse strings )

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of purse strings¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

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Idioms and Phrases

hold the purse strings, to have the power to determine how money shall be spent.
loosen / tighten the purse strings, to increase or decrease expenditures or the availability of money:
The budget committee is in the process of tightening the purse strings.

More idioms and phrases containing purse strings

Financial resources or control of them, as in His mother doesn't want to let go of the purse strings because he may make some foolish investments . This expression is often extended to hold or tighten or loosen the purse strings , as in As long as Dad holds the purse strings, we have to consider his wishes , or The company is tightening the purse strings and will not be hiring many new people this year . The purse strings in this idiom are the means of opening and closing a drawstring purse. [Early 1400s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Our supine Republican Congress, in fear of alienating Musk and Trump, has abdicated its role in this critical balance, handing over control of the purse strings to Trump and Musk.

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Lenders tightened their purse strings, and new housing production plummeted.

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She said predictions of "sluggish growth" means Reeves will probably "tighten purse strings" in the Spring Statement.

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There are another 300 million "emerging" or "aspirant" consumers, but they are reluctant spenders who've only just begun to open their purse strings, as click-of-a-button digital payments make it easy to transact.

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Repeating a theme, McMahon said it would be her intention to follow the law, which includes the Constitution’s stricture that Congress controls the purse strings.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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