tighten the purse strings
To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We must tighten the purse strings this month.”
“After the company lost its biggest client, the manager decided to tighten the purse strings on all travel expenses.”
“Faced with a sudden economic downturn, the government chose to tighten the purse strings, effectively halting several ambitious infrastructure projects across the country.”
- 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