ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tighten the purse strings

idiom

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


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    common purse

    A shared or community fund.

  2. 02

    cut one's cloth to suit one's purse

    To settle for less when money or resources are limited.

  3. 03

    hold the purse strings

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

  4. 04

    lighten someone's purse

    to take money from someone.

  5. 05

    loosen the apron strings

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

  6. 06

    loosen the purse strings

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

  7. 07

    make a silk purse of a sow's ear

    To produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

  8. 08

    no strings attached

    Without conditions or obligations; without a catch.

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