ENGLISH
REFERENCE

no strings attached

idiom
Meaning

Without conditions or obligations; without a catch.


Origin

disputed origin

From strings (“(figurative) conditions, limitations, restrictions”), possibly from an old prank where a money purse with a hidden string would be placed on the ground, and pulled away when someone tried to pick it up.

Examples
SIMPLE

You can borrow my car — no strings attached.

CONTEXTUAL

The company offered a free trial with no strings attached, so I decided to try it.

COMPLEX

He gave her the old piano, no strings attached, asking only that she play it sometimes and think of him.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    hold the purse strings

    To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.

  2. 02

    loosen the apron strings

    To allow greater freedom (to someone); to relax control of (someone).

  3. 03

    loosen the purse strings

    To increase spending or allow increased spending; to relax control of spending.

  4. 04

    pull strings

    To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal.

  5. 05

    string attached

    A condition, catch, limitation, caveat, restriction, or requirement

  6. 06

    tighten the purse strings

    To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.

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