The company has relied on government support, but the government is now threatening to 'cut the apron strings'. [=to stop providing support]
He's generous, but there are always 'strings attached'. [=he always expects something in return for what he gives to people]
He really loved her but she was just 'stringing' him 'along'. [=making him think that she loved him so she could use him]
(..) with the Meg. We know it's attracted to electricity. Let's use it to our advantage. I could string together a series of high-voltage batteries. That'll be enough to bring him to us. - And how do we kill it? - We don't want to wound it (..)2002 Shark Attack 3: Megalodon