Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

loosen the purse strings

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.20 in modern English

Syllables: loosen the purse strings
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

21

Letters

1

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To increase spending or allow increased spending; to relax control of spending.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

"He thought the effect of this language from the Prime Minister had been to loosen the purse-strings of the Treasury."
"Proponents of the counterterrorism agenda might respond by being less inclined to loosen the purse strings than they would have been if offered a convincing..."

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

loosens the purse strings (present, singular) loosening the purse strings (participle, present) loosened the purse strings (participle, past) loosened the purse strings (past) loosen the pursestrings (alternative) loosen the purse-strings (alternative)

Phrases

hold the purse strings loosen the apron strings power of the purse public purse

Frequently Paired Words

disburse hold the purse strings loosen the apron strings power of the purse public purse reimburse

Antonyms

tighten the purse strings

Questions

What does loosen the purse strings mean?: To increase spending or allow increased spending; to relax control of spending.

How to pronounce loosen the purse strings

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