loosen the purse strings
To increase spending or allow increased spending; to relax control of spending.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The company decided to loosen the purse strings for the holiday party.”
“After years of strict saving, the family finally loosened the purse strings to pay for a long-awaited vacation.”
“The government eventually loosened the purse strings, allocating significant funds to revitalize the crumbling infrastructure of the city.”
- 01
another string to one's bow
Another skill, ability or resource to be used in case of failure.
- 02
apron string
A symbol of the domestic ties binding a male to a female (as a husband to a wife or a son to a mother).
- 03
common purse
A shared or community fund.
- 04
cut one's cloth to suit one's purse
To settle for less when money or resources are limited.
- 05
harp on one string
To dwell on a single subject with disagreeable or wearisome persistence.
- 06
harp on the same string
To repeatedly say the same thing.
- 07
hold the purse strings
To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.
- 08
lighten someone's purse
to take money from someone.
Last updated August 10, 2026