tighten the purse strings

tighten the purse strings

To become less liberal with or more controlling of one's expenditures; to decrease the availability of money for spending purposes. After losing my job, I've had to tighten the purse strings quite a bit. We've been behind schedule ever since the boss decided to tighten the purse strings on our project.
See also: purse, string, tighten
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tighten the purse strings

or

tighten your purse strings

If you tighten the purse strings or tighten your purse strings, you reduce the amount of money that can be spent. Election promises must be delayed while the government tightens its purse strings.
See also: purse, string, tighten
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • loosen the purse strings
  • a ball and chain
  • ebb and flow
  • the ebb and flow
  • (one's) day in court
  • (from) top to toe
  • (there's) no peace/rest for the wicked
  • (one's) old man
  • (one's) old lady
  • (one's) jig is up
References in periodicals archive
GAP year students are having to tighten the purse strings, cutting their traditional 12-month sabbatical in half.
STUDY GAP IS SHORTER
It's important to take into account that we've had to tighten the purse strings while the excellent start we had built up people's hopes and when they don't come to fruition it's bitterly disappointing.
FOOTBALL: BACK OFF, SAYS BURR
WITH the credit crunch forcing us to tighten the purse strings our make-up bags may be suffering.
How to get back to beauty basics; Lives
But while Benitez, right, must tighten the purse strings this summer, he isn't concerned about Tottenham's tough stance.
Football: BENITEZ IS SO KEANE; POOL BOSS IN FOR IRISH SKIPPER Robbie on Rafa's wanted list as Spurs dig in heels with pounds 20M price tag
The falls in London's FTSE 100 will hit pensions, long-term savings and investments and further tighten the purse strings for those struggling to pay off their mortgage.
Families face more financial heat as shares dive
Credit-card spending hit a four-year low in April as shoppers began to tighten the purse strings amid the deepening economic gloom.
Your Money: RBS in card crisis; FEARS OVER PLASTIC DEBT REPAYMENTS
But the trading update will fuel fears that some retailers may have missed out this Christmas as shoppers tighten the purse strings.
Jewellery chain feels the pinch as Christmas sales fail to shine
But the clamour for a rate cut has been growing amid worries the economy is stalling as customers tighten the purse strings. Experts, however, yesterday dismissed as a "one off" Bank of England figures that showed credit card borrowing had doubled to pounds 800 million in May.
Your Money: Sob stores; HARD-HIT SHOPS PLEAD FOR INTEREST RATE CUT