purse strings

plural noun

|Updated on: 1 Jul 2018

Definition of purse strings

: financial resources; also : control over these resources

Recent Examples of purse strings from the Web

For much of the twentieth century, the real power in American politics rested not with U.S. representatives or senators but with the governors, mayors, and assemblymen who controlled local purse strings.

— yascha mounk, The New Yorker, "The Rise of McPolitics," 12 Jan. 2015
But with owner Mike Ashley seemingly continuing to keep the purse strings drawn despite claiming there will be money available this summer, the St James' Park manager may have to offload in order to finance his transfer targets.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Willing to Offload Fan Favourite to Finance Other Moves This Summer," 4 June 2018
Madrid already held Catalonia’s purse strings before direct rule was imposed because of earlier attempts to foment secession.

— jeannette neumann, WSJ, "Spain Ceases Direct Rule in Catalonia," 2 June 2018
But with some member states keen to tighten the European Union's purse strings, Horizon Europe's budget is likely to go down in coming negotiations with the European Parliament and EU member states.

— tania rabesandratana, Science | AAAS, "Europe’s science spending set for another big boost," 31 May 2018
Yet, that does not seem to be the understanding held by owner Mike Ashley, and ultimately its his closed purse strings that decide whether that investment happens or not.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Simply Can't Risk Losing World-Class Rafa Benitez Over Reasonable Contract Demands," 29 May 2018
Despite that result, Neves can expect to see his loyalty rewarded with big name signings this summer as Wolves owners look to loosen the purse strings once more in an attempt to become a competitive Premier League force.

— SI.com, "Man Utd & Liverpool Dealt Major Blow as Summer Transfer Target Pledges Future to Wolves," 7 May 2018
In Karnataka, a southern state of 64m people (about as many as in France), parties have been loosening their purse strings for a crucial limbering-up.

— The Economist, "Elections in Karnataka will be closely watched in Delhi," 3 May 2018
Government also holds the purse strings for infrastructure—and e-scooter companies have been stymied by a scarcity of places to safely ride.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "The Love of the People Isn't Enough to Keep Shared Electric Scooters Rolling," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purse strings.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.