Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
apron-strings
Noun (plural)
/ˈeɪprən strɪŋz/
Definition
The metaphorical ties that bind someone to their mother or to another person who is overly protective.
Examples
- He was so used to being tied to his mother’s apron-strings that he found it difficult to make decisions on his own.
- Many young adults struggle to break free from their family’s apron-strings when they go to college.
- She felt it was time to cut the apron-strings and start living life on her own terms.
Meaning
The term ‘apron-strings’ refers to the influence and control that a mother or a guardian exerts over someone, often implying a lack of independence.
Synonyms
- Dependency
- Overprotection
- Control
