loosen the purse strings
Release financial restraint
To loosen the purse strings is to become more willing to spend money, whether one's own or an organization's.
The image is of a drawstring purse held tightly shut: After years of austerity, the government finally loosened the purse strings.
The opposite is to tighten the purse strings.
Someone who controls the purse strings has authority over spending decisions.
- spendPay out money
- spare no expenseSpend without limit
- investCommit resources for gain
- liberalityGenerous spirit or giving
- buyObtain through payment
generosity · purchase · deep pockets · charitable · profligacy · philanthropy · expand · splurge · splashing out · money to burn · stimulus · prosperity · largesse · disposable income · cash flow · fund · indulge · altruism
loosen the purse stringstighten the purse strings
Restrict one's spending
pinch pennies · scrimp and save · tighten one's belt · cut back · economize
loosen, loosely, looseness, loosening, purses, pursed, pursing, string, strings