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

At first it is a little difficult to understand that one is out of leading strings.

From Long Live the King by Boothby, Guy

"In it is pictured the French at school, at war, in leading strings, in love, at work, at play, and at table, in trouble, in England, etc., etc."

From English Pharisees and French Crocodiles and Other Anglo-French Typical Characters by O'Rell, Max

Perhaps she had held him in too tight leading strings.

From The "Genius" by Dreiser, Theodore