What Does "Tighten the Purse Strings" Mean?
"Tighten the purse strings" is an English idiom. It means "to reduce or limit spending; to become more frugal or cautious with finances."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "tighten the purse strings" used in a sentence:- During tough economic times, families often have to tighten the purse strings and cut back on expenses.
- The company decided to tighten the purse strings to weather the financial challenges ahead.
- Learning to tighten the purse strings and save money is an important financial skill.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Tighten the Purse Strings" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "tighten the purse strings" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!


- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 10 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
