strings attached
Catches in agreements
Strings attached describes conditions, obligations, or limitations that come with an offer or gift.
The image is of a puppet whose movements are controlled by strings from above.
Something with no strings attached is given freely, without hidden requirements: The grant comes with no strings attached.
Often used to warn of concealed costs: There are always strings attached.
Conditions of an agreement
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
- stipulationsSpecified requirements or conditions
- provisosLimiting clauses in agreements
- clausesGrammatical or legal units
requirements · preconditions · caveats · reservations · restrictions · qualifications · specifications · constraints
Seize or snag
- snagUnforeseen complication
- hidden agendaUndisclosed true purpose
- ulterior motiveConcealed purpose behind behavior
- trapDevice for catching animals
pitfall · downside · drawback · hitch · wrinkle · gotcha · caveat · fine print
Firm pledge to act
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- dutyRequired moral task
- burdenOppressive weight or duty
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
requirement · debt · promise · bond · covenant · expectation · accountability · reciprocity
Without limits or qualifications
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- genuineTruly what it claims
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- cleanFree of soil
clear · unencumbered · outright · gratis · freebie · windfall · complimentary · unrestricted
terms
Conditions of an agreement
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
- stipulationsSpecified requirements or conditions
- provisosLimiting clauses in agreements
clauses · requirements · preconditions · caveats · reservations · restrictions · qualifications · specifications · constraints · exemptions
catch
Seize or snag
- snagUnforeseen complication
- hidden agendaUndisclosed true purpose
- ulterior motiveConcealed purpose behind behavior
trap · pitfall · downside · drawback · hitch · wrinkle · gotcha · caveat · fine print · loophole
commitment
Firm pledge to act
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- dutyRequired moral task
- burdenOppressive weight or duty
liability · requirement · debt · promise · bond · covenant · expectation · accountability · reciprocity · indebtedness
unconditional
Without limits or qualifications
clean · clear · unencumbered · outright · gratis · freebie · windfall · complimentary · unrestricted
- fine printfine print, small print, disclaimer, disclaimers, terms
- trade-offstrade-off, pros and cons, double-edged sword, mixed blessing, give and take
- requirementsrequirement, requirements, prerequisite, requisite, requisites
strings attachedno strings attached
Without obligations or conditions
unconditional · free and clear · no strings · unconditionally · no obligations
strings attachedno strings attached
Without obligations or conditions
free · unencumbered · unbeholden · liberated · unbound
string, strings, attached, attach, attaches, attaching, attachment, attachments, unattached