- latchstring⇄expr. the latchstring is (or hangs) out, visitors are welcome.
Ex. The latchstring of English society hangs outside the door for an American (London Daily News). Moderate Republicans might therefore serve their cause well by letting Mr. Nixon know - latchstring⇄latchstring, noun.
a string passed through a hole in a door, for raising and unfastening a latch from the outside.