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tighten the purse strings. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
tighten the purse strings, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
tighten the purse strings in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
tighten the purse strings you have here. The definition of the word
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tighten the purse strings, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
Verb
tighten the purse strings (third-person singular simple present tightens the purse strings, present participle tightening the purse strings, simple past and past participle tightened the purse strings)
- (idiomatic, colloquial) To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.
1894, New Zealand Parliament, Parliamentary debates, page 710:...would have the opposite effect entirely, and would tighten the purse-strings of capitalists and the employers of...
1989 July 24, editorial, “Companies still backing the efforts of net managers”, in Network World, volume 6, number 29, page 28: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.
Antonyms
Translations
to decrease or cause to decrease spending
See also