0 the spending of money by a family, company, or country: --
A recent survey showed that in 53 percent of families, women hold (= control) the purse strings.
1 control over how much money is spent: --
Retailers are hoping that American consumers will loosen their purse strings next year.
NYA ORD
European
May 10, 2021
DAGENS ORD
Shimmer
the purse strings