Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) Unstated or downplayed catches, limitations, caveats, restrictions, or requirements.
Usage examples of "strings attached".
It was about twenty inches wide where the strings attached, twenty-four from top to bottom, very colorful, very yellow.
As evidence of my good faith, I will tell you my new little facts without what our so-lamented Godsen would have called 'strings attached,' and you will decide freely whether to answer my ques- tions in return.
But I couldn't make Belle give him the energy without strings attached.
It was the nature of vampire energy that there were always strings attached.
And let the parents decide whether it was worth the risk of having Strega strings attached to their child's soul.
And I assume we'll find some other strings attached, sooner or later.
In the four years between his mother's death and Mher ic's, Mikhyel had served many functions for his father: ser vant to romPetikh's fancy teas, performer (sometimes complete to having strings attached to his limbs so that Mheric could manipulate him like a puppet) .