Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

tighten the purse strings

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.29 in modern English

Syllables: tight-en the purse strings
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

22

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

"...would have the opposite effect entirely, and would tighten the purse-strings of capitalists and the employers of..."
"It's hard for upper management to tighten the purse strings on a project that promises to save money, boost productivity and enable employees to respond better and faster to changing competitive situations."

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

tightens the purse strings (present, singular) tightening the purse strings (participle, present) tightened the purse strings (participle, past) tightened the purse strings (past) tighten the purse-strings (alternative) tighten the pursestrings (alternative)

Phrases

hold the purse strings

Frequently Paired Words

hold the purse strings

Antonyms

loosen the purse strings

Questions

What does tighten the purse strings mean?: To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.

How to pronounce tighten the purse strings

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