purse strings purse 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. Categories: add yours {n.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: P Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry