string

have a second string to your bow have an alternative resource that you can make use of if the first one fails. British

☞ This is a metaphor from archery; related expressions include have several strings to your bow and add another string to your bow. Second string can also be used on its own to mean simply 'an alternative resource or course of action'.

hold the purse strings: seepurse.

how long is a piece of string? used as a rejoinder to indicate that it is unreasonable for someone to expect the speaker to be more precise about something. informal

no strings attached no special conditions or restrictions apply to an opportunity or offer. informal

on a string under your control or influence.

☞ The idea here is of a puppeteer manipulating a puppet by its strings.

pull strings make use of your influence and contacts to gain an advantage unofficially or unfairly.

☞ An American variant of this expression is pull wires: the image here and in the next idiom is of a puppeteer manipulating a marionette by means of its strings.

2012DVD Verdict By then, his new wife, Megan, has descended in his esteem from a confident and ambitious copy writer at SCDP to a tearful, insecure actress who needs Don to pull strings and get her a part in a hokey TV ad.

pull the strings be in control of events or of other people's actions.

tighten the purse strings: seepurse.