| 释义 |
ˈpurse-string
Usually in pl.: The two threaded strings by drawing which the mouth of a purse is closed; hence in various fig. phrases, as to hold the purse-strings, to control the expenditure of money; to tighten or loosen the purse-strings, to be sparing, or generous, in spending money.
c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4369 So haue I plukked at my purse strynges, And made hem often for to gape & gane. c1530Wit & Folly (Percy Soc.) XX. p. lx, I shall brynge them to heuen gate..And lede them thyther by purse strynges. 1630Davenant Cruel Brother ii. i, Those whom Fathers Purse-strings hoise up to honour. a1659Bp. Brownrig Serm. (1674) I. v. 71 He endeavours to corrupt him..and so to tie the Holy Ghost to his Purs-strings. 1820T. Mitchell Aristoph. I. 239 Cleon now finds it necessary to open his purse-strings. 1849Cobden Speeches 20 The House of Commons..has to look after the purse-strings of the people. 1902Brenan House Percy II. ii. 58 Refusing to loosen his purse-strings any further.
b. attrib. That is drawn like a purse-string.
1905Brit. Med. Jrnl. 1 July 15 The stump (of the appendix) being buried by a purse string suture of catgut. |