lighten (one's) purse Idiom, Proverb

hold the purse strings

control how much is spent, decide when to spend He does the talking, but she holds the purse strings.

make a silk purse...

(See you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear)

you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

"you cannot improve the quality of junk; cannot make gold from iron" "When Hal put a Mercedes star on his Ford, I said, ""You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."""

make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

Idiom(s): make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

Theme: VALUE

to create something of value out of something of no value. (Often in the negative.)
• Don't bother trying to fix up this old bicycle. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
• My mother made a lovely jacket out of an old coat. She succeeded in making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

control the purse strings

Idiom(s): control the purse strings

Theme: CONTROL

to be in charge of the money in a business or a household.
• I control the purse strings at our house.
• Mr. Williams is the treasurer. He controls the purse strings.

An empty purse frightens away friends.

When one's financial situation deteriorates, friends tend to disappear.

line one's pockets|line|line one's purse|pocket|po

v. phr., informal To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes. The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials.
Compare: FEATHER ONE'S NEST.

purse strings|purse|string|strings

n. Care or control of money. Dad holds the purse strings in our family. The treasurer refused to let go of the club's purse strings.

can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
Be unable to turn something ugly or inferior into something attractive or of value, as in No matter how expensive his clothes, he still looks sloppy—you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. This expression was already a proverb in the mid-1500s.

make a silk purse

make a silk purse
see can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

lighten (one's) purse

1. To abduct money from one. This ailing allotment of boondocks is ample with pickpockets—plenty of bodies accessible to lighten your purse.2. To absorb money or account one to absorb money, abnormally badly or wastefully. Aunt Edna, amuse don't lighten your purse affairs things for the kids. They accept abundant toys and clothes as it is. The allowance boutique absolutely lightened our purses. Why did we buy so abundant applesauce we don't need?Learn more: lighten, purse

Dictionary

More Idioms/Phrases

make a pig of oneself make a run for make a silk purse make a stab at make a stand make a statement make a virtue of necessity light dawned light dawned, the light dawns light dawns (on one) light heart light in the loafers light into light into (someone or something) light into someone light on light on (one's) feet light out light out for (some place) light purse makes a heavy heart light relief light skirt light stuff light the (blue) touch paper light the blue touch paper light the fuse light touch light up light with lighten lighten (one's) load lighten (one's) purse lighten (one's) wallet lighten the load lighten up lighter light-fingered lightheaded lighting lightly lightning lightning doesn't strike twice lightning fast lightning in a bottle lightning never strikes (the same place) twice Lightning never strikes twice lightning never strikes twice in the same place lightning quick lightning rod lights lights out lights, camera, action lightweight like like (one's) life depends on it like (the) white on rice like (two) peas in a pod