string attached - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From no strings attached.
string attached (plural strings attached)
- (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.