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attached

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have no strings attached

To have no special conditions, restrictions, obligations, or arrangements that must be met. The bill has no strings attached, so it should easily pass the Senate. This sounds like a superb deal—I just hope it doesn't have any strings attached.

See also: attached, have, string

without any strings attached

Having no special conditions, restrictions, obligations, or arrangements that must be met. I hear Janet is signing over the deed to her house to John without any strings attached! Take advantage of our huge summer sale, where you can earn up to $5,000 cash back without any strings attached!

See also: any, attached, string, without

have strings attached

To have one or more special conditions, restrictions, obligations, or arrangements that must be met. The Republicans in the Senate are willing to allow the bill to pass, but you can be sure that the final draft will have several strings attached. This sounds like a superb deal—I just hope it doesn't have any strings attached.

See also: attached, have, string

with strings attached

Having one or more special conditions, restrictions, obligations, or arrangements that must be met. The Republicans in the Senate are willing to allow the bill to pass, but with strings attached.

See also: attached, string

strings attached

One or more conditions, restrictions, obligations, or arrangements that must be met for one to attain something that they desire. The Senate is willing to allow the bill to pass, but you can be sure that the final draft will have several strings attached. I want to help him, but I'm worried that there will be strings attached.

See also: attached, string

attach to

1. To connect two things. In this usage, an item is mentioned between "attach" and "to." Can you please attach this button to my sweater? Please be sure to attach a cover page to your report.

2. To connect oneself to something. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "attach" and "to." Please be sure to attach yourself to your luggage at the airport.

3. To involve oneself with another person or group—often in an overbearing way. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "attach" and "to." I hope my little cousins don't try to come with us—they're always attaching themselves to me, and it's so annoying.

4. To involve oneself with another person or group. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "attach" and "to." I heard that Jon has attached himself to a new lady—is that true? Teddy has attached himself to the drama club this semester.

5. To have an emotional connection to someone or something. This usage always uses the form "attached." I really miss my ex-boyfriend at Christmastime—I guess I'm still attached to him after all. I'm pretty attached to the idea of a tropical vacation—I've even been picturing myself on the beach! I tried to give away my daughter's childhood teddy bear, but apparently she's still quite attached to it.

See also: attach

attach to someone

Fig. [for blame, importance, guilt, fault, etc.] to become "fixed" onto someone or an organization. A lot of guilt attaches to Henry for his part in the plot. Most of the blame for the accident attaches to Roger.

See also: attach

attach to something

[for something] to be meant to fit onto or into something. This one attaches to this other one right at this point. This part should have attached to the back of the desk, but it didn't fit.

See also: attach

attached to someone or something

 

1. Lit. connected to someone or something. The patient has a tube attached to his arm. A little shelf is attached to the wall.

2. Fig. fond of someone or something. John is really attached to his old-fashioned ideas. I'm really attached to my longtime girlfriend.

See also: attached

with no strings attached

 and without any strings attached

Fig. unconditionally; with no obligations or conditions attached. My parents gave me use of their car without any strings attached. I will accept this job only if there are no strings attached.

See also: attached, string

no strings attached

no special demands or limits that you have to accept The donation has no strings attached, so the charity can use the money for whatever purpose it chooses.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form with string attached (with special demands or limits): Many special offers come with strings attached, so be aware of this before you buy.

See also: attached, string

no strings attached

Without conditions or restrictions, as in They give each of the children $10,000 a year with no strings attached. This expression dates from the mid-1900s, although string in the sense of "a limitation" has been used since the late 1800s.

See also: attached, string

attach to

v.

1. To fasten or secure something to something: The electrician attached the wires to the socket. The carpenter attached the knobs to the cabinet doors.

2. To adhere, belong, or relate to something: It is not a very difficult job, and not much responsibility attaches to it.

3. To affix or append something to something: I attached all of my receipts to my spending report.

4. To ascribe or assign some quality to something: Several ambassadors said they would walk out of the meeting, but our officials attached no significance to the threat.

5. To associate closely with someone or something: I quickly attached myself to the chess club when I started school.

6. To be bound emotionally to someone or something: I'm still attached to that old sweater I used to wear in high school.

See also: attach