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]
(..) How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to...evolve? With these? These puppets? There's only one path to peace. The Avengers' extinction. I had strings, but now I'm free. ...There are no strings on me, no strings on me... "There are no strings on me." All our work is gone. - Ultron. (..)2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron
(..) - Stark. - Jarvis? I'm sorry, I was asleep. Or...I was a dream? Reboot. Legionnaire 's got a buggy suit. There was this...terrible noise...and I was tangled in... in... ...strings. Had to kill the other guy. He was a good guy. You killed someone? Who sent you? (..)2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron