idiom · neutral
hold the purse strings
UK/həʊld ðə ˈpɜːs strɪŋz/US/hoʊld ðə ˈpɜrs strɪŋz/hold·the·PURSE·strings
To control the money or decide how it is spent.
Examples
“In our family, my mother holds the purse strings.”
“The finance committee holds the purse strings for the project.”
“If you want changes, talk to the person who holds the purse strings.”
Band 8 sentence
“Although he isn't formally in charge, he holds the purse strings and therefore shapes the project's priorities.”
Collocations
- hold the purse strings for something
- who holds the purse strings
Word family
Common mistakes
He holds purse strings→He holds the purse strings
He hold the purse strings→He holds the purse strings
Say it for a higher band
5control the money→6manage the budget→7+hold the purse strings
Synonyms
control the budget
Easily confused
call the shots
“Although she isn't CEO, she often calls the shots on strategic matters.”
Related words
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