n. 弓の弦

tighten the purse strings イディオム

hold the purse strings

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

play on my heart strings

cause me to feel emotional, make me feel sentimental The movie Hey Jude will play on your heart strings - make you cry.

pull a few strings

help by talking to powerful people, it's not what you know... My application was late, but a friend of mine pulled a few strings and got me an interview.

pull strings

secretly use influence and power He was able to pull some strings and get his son a job for the summer.

strings attached

obligations, restraining conditions He was able to borrow the money for the furniture with no strings attached.

tied to your mother's apron strings

still dependent on mom, needing your mom's help He has to ask his mother. He's still tied to her apron strings.

have two strings to one's bow

have an alternative or choice有两手准备
You've made sure in both directions．It's always good to have two strings to one's bow．你已经在两个方面都落实了。有两手准备总是好的。

with no strings attached

Idiom(s): with no strings attached AND without any strings attached

Theme: UNCONDITIONALLY

unconditionally; with no obligations attached.
• My parents gave me a computer without any strings attached.
• I want this only if there are no strings attached.

tied to one's mother's apron strings

Idiom(s): tied to one's mother's apron strings

Theme: CONTROL

dominated by one's mother; dependent on one's mother.
• Tom is still tied to his mother's apron strings.
• Isn't he a little old to be tied to his mother's apron strings?

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.