apron strings

apron strings
1. the strings on an apron, used for securing it around one's person.
2. tie to someone's apron strings, to make or be dependent on or dominated by someone: He has never married because he's tied to his mother's apron strings.
[1535-45]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • apron strings — apron ,strings noun plural influence or control that someone has over you because you are afraid of making your own decisions or of not doing what they say: be tied to someone s apron strings (=be influenced or controlled by someone): Even at 25… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • apron strings — A man who is tied to a woman s apron strings is excessively dependent on her, especially when it is his mother s apron strings …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • apron strings —    A man who is tied to a woman s apron strings is excessively dependent on her, especially when it is his mother s apron strings.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If one person is tied to another s apron strings, they remain dependent at… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • apron strings — 1. the strings on an apron, used for securing it around one s person. 2. tie to someone s apron strings, to make or be dependent on or dominated by someone: He has never married because he s tied to his mother s apron strings. [1535 45] …   Useful english dictionary

  • apron strings — a′pron strings n. cvb the securing strings on an apron • tied to someone s apron strings Etymology: 1535–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • apron strings — UK / US noun [plural] influence or control that someone has over you because you are afraid of making your own decisions or of not doing what they say be tied to someone s apron strings (= be influenced or controlled by someone): Even at 25 Jenny …   English dictionary

  • apron strings — /ˈeɪprən strɪŋz/ (say aypruhn stringz) plural noun 1. the ties of an apron. –phrase 2. tied to the apron strings, emotionally dependent on or bound to a person, as a child is to its mother …  

  • To be tied to a mother's apron strings — Apron string A pron string The string of an apron. [1913 Webster] {To be tied to a wife s apron strings} or {To be tied to a mother s apron strings}, to be unduly controlled by a wife or mother. [1913 Webster] He was so made that he could not… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To be tied to a wife's apron strings — Apron string A pron string The string of an apron. [1913 Webster] {To be tied to a wife s apron strings} or {To be tied to a mother s apron strings}, to be unduly controlled by a wife or mother. [1913 Webster] He was so made that he could not… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • be tied to your mother's apron strings — be tied to (your) mother s apron strings if someone, usually a man, is tied to their mother s apron strings, they still need their mother and cannot think or act independently. He s 30 but he s still tied to his mother s apron strings …   New idioms dictionary

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