purse strings

plural noun

: financial resources

also : control over these resources

Examples of purse strings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shares of Arhaus have fallen nearly 31% year to date as macroeconomic and geopolitical issues have led consumers to tighten their purse strings and put pressure on margins. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Perhaps like many of us are doing, these municipalities need to tighten their purse strings. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Just as important is the opportunity to pitch those ideas to the person holding the purse strings, and hear a response. — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Lawmakers, who hold the government’s purse strings and have oversight of federal agencies, wanted USAID to remain, even in its diminished form. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purse strings

• brings
• clings
• dings
• flings
• kings
• lings
• pings
• rings
• sings
• slings
• stings
• swings