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Glite Dictionary
no-strings-attached

no-strings-attached

16 4.6
An agreement with no conditions and no need for anything in return
  • adjective
  • /noʊ ˈstrɪŋz əˈtæʧt/
translation icon : sin compromiso
  • I want to help you with your project, no-strings-attached; I expect nothing in return.
  • no-strings-attached sex
  • no-strings-attached relationship
  • no-strings-attached grant

OK, I travelled to a foreign country to get pregnant by a complete stranger with no strings attached.

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Examples

  • We need to share with an honest intention to help, with no strings attached.

    Blog text (20)

  • She won a free vacuuming and carpet shampoo, no strings attached.

    Short Cuts (1993)

  • - We thought we could give you a ride, no strings attached.

    Midnight (2020)

  • I can be in a no strings attached relationship.

    The Girlfriend Experience (2009)

  • No, there are no strings attached.

    The Fugitive (1993)

  • Well, we have all sorts of ways you can have a good time down here, no strings attached.

    Downsizing (2017)

  • But over at the small banks and credit unions, a majority offer totally free checking with no strings attached.

    Blog text (21)

  • No strings attached, no obligations, uh...

    The Pledge (2001)

  • There's no strings attached at all.

    How to Be Single (2016)

  • All the offers have to be gratis, no strings attached, just like the car, got it?

    #Lucky Number (2015)

Synonyms

NSA
vsno-strings-attached
  • Slang
8.5

Without commitment to continue the relationship

is the neutral expression used in standard or formal contexts

Antonyms

conditional
33 5.0

True or allowed only if something else happens

binding
  • Formal
4.6

Required by law and able to be enforced

How Binding

obligatory
  • Formal
27 5.3
binding
  • Formal
4.6
conditional
33 5.0
no-strings-attached
16 4.6

Surface Forms

no-strings-attached positive

Morphology

no-strings-attached = string + attached (transparent) = no + strings + attach + ed

The phrase 'strings attached' is idiomatic (meaning 'conditions'), so the base phrase is somewhat idiomatic rather than a fully compositional noun phrase.

Etymology

No-strings-attached comes from the picture of a gift or a puppet with strings that tie or control it. A helpful way to remember this is that when the 'strings' are gone there are no hidden 'conditions' or 'commitments', so the offer is free and does not force you to do anything.