leading strings

American  

[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

plural noun

1. strings for leading and supporting a child learning to walk.

2. excessively restraining guidance.

   His parents tried to keep him in leading strings, but he finally married and moved away.

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Etymology

Origin of leading strings

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Right or wrong, Britain is not responsible for it, and Mr. Wallace's picture of the United States in leading strings is quite fanciful.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mother country has only to keep up the motherly relation, and patiently loosen the leading strings, according as her colonies grow able to run alone.'

From Cedar Creek From the Shanty to the Settlement by Walshe, Elizabeth Hely

"People accustomed to think out of leading strings will be glad to read it."

From The Marquis of Pe?alta (Marta y Mar?a) A Realistic Social Novel by Palacio Vald?s, Armando

There will be the disloyal deeds that made us a constant source of care and wonderment to the angels who watched us, and the cowardice that kept us in leading strings to conformity.

From Rosemary and Rue by Amber

They were also free from all the infirmities of children, and needed no leading strings, for, after the first nine days, they all ran like so many partridges.

From Tales from the German Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authors by Various