power of the purse en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(idiomatic, uncountable) The control of finances by one group used as a check on the power of another group.
Congress has the power of the purse and can choose not to pay for a Presidential policy with which they disagree.
Relateds
public purse · reimburse · hold the purse strings · bursar · disburse · loosen the purse strings · tighten the purse strings