string attached

plural strings attached

1. idiomaticin pluralA condition, catch, limitation, caveat, restriction, or requirement

   They were advertising free television sets, but there were a lot of strings attached.

   2 more examples

   I'll get you that new video game that you want so badly, but there's a string attached; you must also clean your room at least once a week.

   As I write this, drivers' union ASLEF has announced yet another series of one-day strikes, because ministers are stupidly insisting that the modest below-inflation pay rise they have offered drivers still comes with strings attached over working conditions.

   2024 January 24, Christian Wolmar, “What could Labour do to reverse the rail reform agenda?”, in RAIL, number 1001, page 47