1string 
/ˈstrɪŋ/ noun
plural strings /ˈstrɪŋ/ noun 1 : a long, thin piece of twisted thread that you use to attach things, tie things together, or hang things [count] ▪ She tied a string around the boxes. [noncount] ▪ a piece/loop/ball of string ▪ He tied the packages together with string. — see also apron string, drawstring, g-string, shoestring 2 [count] : a group of objects that are connected with a string, wire, chain, etc. — + of ▪ She was wearing a string of pearls. ▪ We used four strings of Christmas lights to decorate the tree. 3 [count] a : a series of similar things — + of ▪ He owns a string of movie theaters. ▪ a long/whole string of names/numbers
b : a series of events which follow each other in time — + of ▪ a string of robberies ▪ The band had a string of hits in the 1990s.
c technical : a group of letters, words, or numbers which is treated as a single unit in a computer program
▪ a character string 4 [count] : a long, thin piece of tightly stretched wire or other material (such as nylon) that is used to produce sounds in a musical instrument (such as a violin or piano)
▪ guitar/piano strings — see also the strings (below) 5 [noncount] chiefly US : a group of players on a team that play together because they have similar abilities
▪ the first/second string of a football team ▪ He was demoted to the second string. — see also first-string, second-string 6 strings [plural] : requirements that are connected with something : things that you have to do, give, etc., if you accept something (such as a gift or an offer)
▪ She won't accept the gift if there are strings. [=if she is expected to do something in return for it] ▪ They offered her the job with no strings attached. [=with no conditions] ▪ He's generous, but there are always strings attached. [=he always expects something in return for what he gives to people] 7 [count] : a long, thin piece of nylon or other material that is stretched tightly across a tennis racket or similar object
b : a series of events which follow each other in time — + of ▪ a string of robberies ▪ The band had a string of hits in the 1990s.
c technical : a group of letters, words, or numbers which is treated as a single unit in a computer program
▪ a character string
▪ guitar/piano strings — see also the strings (below)
▪ the first/second string of a football team ▪ He was demoted to the second string. — see also first-string, second-string
▪ She won't accept the gift if there are strings. [=if she is expected to do something in return for it] ▪ They offered her the job with no strings attached. [=with no conditions] ▪ He's generous, but there are always strings attached. [=he always expects something in return for what he gives to people]
have more than one string to your bow
Brit : to have more than one idea, skill, plan, etc., that you can use if it is needed
▪ That didn't fix the problem, but I have more than one string to my bow.
▪ That didn't fix the problem, but I have more than one string to my bow.
have (someone) on a string
informal : to be able to make (someone) do anything you want
▪ He has his girlfriend on a string.
▪ He has his girlfriend on a string.
how long is a piece of string
Brit, informal — used as a reply to a question when the answer is not known ▪ “How long will you be staying?” “How long is a piece of string?”
pull strings
: to use the influence that you have with important people to get or achieve something
▪ His father had to pull (some) strings to get him the job.
▪ His father had to pull (some) strings to get him the job.
pull the strings
: to control someone or something often in a secret way
▪ It turned out that his brother was the person pulling the strings behind the operation.
▪ It turned out that his brother was the person pulling the strings behind the operation.
purse strings — see 1purse
the strings or the string section
: the instruments of an orchestra (such as the cello, violin, or piano) that have strings or the musicians who play them
▪ The concert was excellent, especially the strings. ▪ The orchestra's string section is excellent.
▪ The concert was excellent, especially the strings. ▪ The orchestra's string section is excellent.
