phrase

no strings attached

noh STRINGZ uh-TACHT

No strings attached (phrase) means Without conditions, obligations or hidden requirements. Example: “The grant is a gift with no strings attached.”

phrase

Without conditions, obligations or hidden requirements.

"The grant is a gift with no strings attached."

"They offered a month's free trial, no strings attached."

informal Of a sexual relationship: casual, with neither person expecting commitment, exclusivity or emotional involvement.

"They agreed it was no strings attached and neither would text between meet-ups."

How to Use No strings attached

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNothing is expected in return, and there are no conditions.

When to use it

Neutral in the money or offer sense; informal in the relationship sense, where NSA is the usual written abbreviation.

Memory tip

Hyphenate it when it comes before a noun: a no-strings-attached loan.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

friends with benefits situationship unconditional →

Common pairings

with no strings attached a no-strings-attached offer no-strings relationship

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The grant is a gift with _____.

Etymology

From the figurative use of strings for the ties or controls attached to a gift or agreement, as with a puppet's strings.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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unconditional free and clear without obligation condition-free casual NSA friends with benefits

Antonyms

conditional with conditions

Related Words

total depending relative absolute dependent casual relaxed informal

Rhymes for no strings attached

reached poached beached attached bleached detached unattached

See all rhymes for no strings attached →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does NSA mean in dating profiles?

It is the abbreviation of no strings attached: sex without commitment, exclusivity or an ongoing emotional relationship.

What is the difference between no strings attached and friends with benefits?

Friends with benefits implies an existing friendship that also includes sex. No strings attached describes the terms rather than the relationship, and the two people may barely know each other.

Is no strings attached only about relationships?

No. It is used just as often about money, offers and deals to mean that nothing is expected in return.

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