"tighten purse strings" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to decrease spending or to be frugal with money. Example: With the recent economic downturn, the government has had to tighten its purse strings to balance the budget. Another example: After realizing they were spending too much on unnecessary items, the couple decided to tighten their purse strings and stick to a strict budget.
Other ethicists protested, pointing out that too many doctors playing Robin Hood would make insurers tighten purse strings further.
The cash crisis has hit millions of traders, as people tighten purse strings and save up precious banknotes.
The global biotechnology business model is "breaking down" as investors tighten purse strings and the industry's research base shifts to emerging economies, a report suggests.
It is no secret that travel costs are soaring and business travelers have been squeezed hard as companies, from corporations with travel departments to small businesses with employees making their own plans, tighten purse strings.
By AsiaToday reporter Kim Ye-jin - As consumers tighten purse strings again, restaurants are cutting prices.
Even with the tightened purse strings and apathy in the stands, the Stars have played well.
Small wireless phone companies have had trouble arranging financing as lenders tightened purse strings earlier this year.
That is a pressing objective for the sport, as it seeks to counteract waning viewership and sponsors' tightened purse strings.
Baseball caps remain the standard-bearer of the sports apparel market, and New Era, like its competitors, is trying to adapt to changing tastes and tightening purse strings.
They said the reorganization, coming at a time of tightened purse strings for public media, would "improve the long-term sustainability of the 'NewsHour.' " Some other savings will be achieved by leaving positions unfilled and by streamlining technical operations.
Mr. Poskanzer's reaction to tightening purse strings at Chase may be unusual, but other developers are also finding that banks that were enthusiastic lenders in the past are shying away from new projects, particularly those for which no tenants have been signed up.
