control the purse strings
(redirected from controlled 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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
control the purse strings
and hold the purse stringsFig. 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.
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017