tighten the purse strings

== English == === Alternative forms === tighten the purse-strings tighten the pursestrings === Pronunciation === === Verb === tighten the purse strings (third-person singular simple present tightens the purse strings, present participle tightening the purse strings, simple past and past participle tightened the purse strings) (idiomatic, colloquial) To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending. ==== Antonyms ==== loosen the purse strings ==== Translations ==== === See also === hold the purse strings