hold the purse strings

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  • (file)

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hold the purse strings (third-person singular simple present holds the purse strings, present participle holding the purse strings, simple past and past participle held the purse strings)

  1. (idiomatic, colloquial) To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.
    • 1787, James Madison, The writings of James Madison: comprising his public papers and his private correspondence..., page 158:
      The other branch was more immediately the representatives of the people, and it was a maxim that the people ought to hold the Purse-strings.
    • 1985, Jerome Hellmuth, Coping with parents, page 62:
      The power structure of the family is being shared by wives and husbands, mothers and fathers. Both hold the purse strings.

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