hold the purse strings

• hold the pursestrings
• hold the purse-strings

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to hold the purse strings (phrasal verb)

1. (idiomatic, colloquial) To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.
   • 1787, James Madison, The writings of James Madison: comprising his public papers and his private correspondence..., page 158:

     The other branch was more immediately the representatives of the people, and it was a maxim that the people ought to hold the Purse-strings.

   • 1985, Jerome Hellmuth, Coping with parents, page 62:

     The power structure of the family is being shared by wives and husbands, mothers and fathers. Both hold the purse strings.

• loosen the purse strings
• tighten the purse strings