hold/control the purse strings
phrase
: to make the decisions about how money is spent
The museum's board of directors holds/controls the purse strings.
Cite this Entry
“Hold/control the purse strings.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%2Fcontrol%20the%20purse%20strings. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
