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.

See also: control, purse, string

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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