Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hold the purse strings

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.68 in modern English

Syllables: hold the purse strings
IPA

29

Scrabble Score

19

Letters

1

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

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

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

holds the purse strings (present, singular) holding the purse strings (participle, present) held the purse strings (participle, past) held the purse strings (past) hold the pursestrings (alternative) hold the purse-strings (alternative)

Phrases

loosen the purse strings power of the purse public purse tighten the purse strings pull strings

Frequently Paired Words

bursar disburse loosen the purse strings power of the purse public purse reimburse tighten the purse strings pull strings

Questions

What does hold the purse strings mean?: To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.

How to pronounce hold the purse strings

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