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]
(..) You're already a corpse. I just need a little top-up. / There's no time!!! We take my Blood Bag. We'll take my Blood Bag and string him to the lancer's perch. It's got a muzzle on it. It's a raging feral!! / That's right! High-octane crazy blood filling me up. If I'm gonna die... (..)2015 Mad Max: Fury Road