string attached

From no strings attached.

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

string attached (plural strings attached)

1. (idiomatic, chiefly in the plural) A condition, catch, limitation, caveat, restriction, or requirement

   I'll get you that new video game that you want so badly, but there's a string attached; you must also clean your room at least once a week.

   They were advertising free television sets, but there were a lot of strings attached.

   • 2024 January 24, Christian Wolmar, “What could Labour do to reverse the rail reform agenda?”, in RAIL, number 1001, page 47:

     As I write this, drivers' union ASLEF has announced yet another series of one-day strikes, because ministers are stupidly insisting that the modest below-inflation pay rise they have offered drivers still comes with strings attached over working conditions.

• This phrase is primarily found as part of no strings attached.