Idioms

control the purse strings

control the purse strings

To dictate the spending of a given group, such as a family, company, country, etc. After my dad's gambling problem came to light, my mother started to control the purse strings. The finance department controls the purse strings around here. We've fallen behind schedule because the boss controls the purse strings and won't let us spend any more money on this project.
See also: control, purse, string
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

control the purse strings

 and hold the purse strings
Fig. to be in charge of the money in a business or a household. I control the purse strings at our house. Mr. Williams is the treasurer. He controls the purse strings.
See also: control, purse, string
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

control/hold the ˈpurse strings

(informal) be the person who controls the amount of money spent and the way in which it is spent: I’m the one who controls the purse strings in this office, and you must come to me if you want any more money.
See also: control, hold, purse, string
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
"Councillor Tweed has also apparently forgotten that her SNP Government control the purse strings and they chose to cut council budgets after getting more money from Westminster.
Improved roads says councillor
They, in fact, are forced to be accountable to the US, the World Bank, the IMF and other powerful institutions which control the purse strings. Often, their interests conflict or compete with those of the populace.
'No free lunch!'
"But I don't control the purse strings. If it's not to be and we can't do it then we'll have to move on and try and get someone else.
Boss resigned to losing star striker; FA TROPHY LOANEES LIKELY TO MOVE ON IN JANUARY
Woodward, and the Glazer family who control the purse strings, have always insisted the money is there for Mourinho to spend on the players he wants, with the PS89m and PS75m outlays on Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku respectively proof of that commitment.
JOSE STARED AT THE UNITED BOARD BLINKED FIRST; MANCHESTER UNITED SPENDING BIG; Mourinho moaned on Boxing Day that spending PS300m was not enough signing Sanchez now is a massive victory for Reds boss
"Furthermore, the evidence suggests that the NHS is remarkably impervious to change - clinicians who control the purse strings dislike it and carry on as normal - meaning there is very little evidence of real organisational transformation."
New group for health chiefs; SETTING UP OF COMMITTEE SPARKS FEARS OVER MORE CUTS TO NHS SERVICES ACROSS REGION
Northern politicians may control the purse strings, but they are not going to lead.
Cultural development of the North takes vision
The owner ultimately control the purse strings and dictates what direction Newcastle United go in -- but these days his appears to be more of a hands-off presence.
Newcastle United boardroom reshuffle? Here's the men who wield the power at St James' Park; Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley may be about to step down from the board in a reshuffle, so who holds the positions of power at Magpies?
I want to meet with members of Congress who control the purse strings in terms of what the Philippines is looking for, Del Rosario said.
DFA chief: US vows presence in disputed waters amid China reclamation
Don't protest against Joe Anderson, protest against the Government, they are the ones who control the purse strings.
Let Joe do his job
It would help greatly if you control the purse strings. In such a scenario, you can veto the idea of paying for an upgrade to the Fifa package.
Assuaging the four-year itch
Our quartet of young Latinas made it clear that they control the purse strings in their households.
Post-Summit Reflections
Thus, it seems those who control the purse strings would prefer to dole out the money in aid and grants while extending Parliament's mandate.
West fears postponement of Lebanon's elections
The Eugene board's bottom line: If community members really want to have influence on school budget decisions, they should start lobbying state legislators who are working on the state budget and who largely control the purse strings.
Board hears chorus of concerns
It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that it is heard by those who control the purse strings.
Money is only one part of the solution when it comes to the NHS problem; Western Mail
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.