hold the purse strings

Idioms  

1. see purse strings.

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Example Sentences

In a movie like “Apolonia, Apolonia,” however, there’s no obvious path along which the story will unfold when filming begins, which makes it hard to pitch to the people who hold the purse strings.

From New York Times

As investment prospects darken, financiers increasingly view the game as a way to build 'guanxi' or connections with officials who hold the purse strings on local projects, especially those overseas investors might consider too risky.

From Reuters

“This is a really important point of leverage that could potentially change how utilities operate. As ratepayers, we collectively hold the purse strings when it comes to these propaganda efforts, so that provides an avenue for us to help shut them down.”

From Washington Times

"I'm aghast frankly. It's the retailers that hold the purse strings."

From Reuters

And although high-minded physicists may accept the importance of validation instead of being first to a discovery, the concept of coming in “second place” is a harder sell for politicians who hold the purse strings.

From Scientific American