purse strings

or purse·strings (pûrs′strĭngz′)

pl.n.

Financial support or resources, or control over them: the politicians who control federal purse strings; tightened the corporate purse strings.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

purse strings

pl n

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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

purse′ strings`

n.pl.

the right or power to determine the disposition of financial resources: Who holds the purse strings in your family?

[1450–1500]

Translations

purse strings

npl to hold the purse strings (fig) → tenere i cordoni della borsa

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Cavendish, however, was a lady who liked to make her own plans, and expected other people to fall in with them, and in this case she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings.

View in context

"Those holding the public purse strings need to think very carefully about the price we all stand to pay" Successful partnerships have been forged between the public and voluntary sectors over many decades.

True price of squeeze on good causes; The Voice of the North

She said: "Most of the people who hold the purse strings are not women.

Actress plays leading role in equality challenge

Yet he still believes the club can only temper Manchester City's impending dominance if they loosen the purse strings in January.

I'M FEELING CASH BLUES; EVERY GOAL .. EVERY GAME .. EVERY MONDAY Conte can't compete with City

Time and time again we taxpayers are told public money is tight and the age of austerity isn't going to loosen the purse strings any time soon.

WE SAY

To help busy mums keep hold of the purse strings, we''ve got winter all wrapped up.

Hot deals to keep out the chill

CHILDREN are receiving the most pocket money on average since 2007, as families start to ease their purse strings a little.

Pocket money at 6-year high; pound NOTES

If people want to vent their anger it should be aimed at Ashley as he appointed JFK and he holds the purse strings.

Direct anger at Mike

FIGURES show our embassies around the world are spending more money and are loosening the purse strings.

Cash splurge is an insult; COMMENT Park House, 191 - 197 North Circular Road, Dublin 7 Tel: 01 868 8600, Fax 01 868 8626

Rodgers admits next season "the purse strings will be loosened" on the back of the influx of money from a new television deal but for now he is trying to make the best of his situation.

Rodgers not looking to window for Reds boost

He will leave Bahrain feeling in need of a boil-wash, having surren-dered any principles because he was ordered to race by those who control the purse strings. The chequered flag should be replaced by a white one.

SHAME ON F1.