handholding
Americannoun
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the act of holding hands, especially as a sign or token of affection.
-
constant reassurance and help, especially as an indication of one's interest or confidence.
We do a lot of handholding with our clients.
Etymology
Origin of handholding
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"A holistic approach that looks at restoring natural ecosystems along with traditional knowledge, handholding support, credit and other factors are equally important for successful farming."
From BBC • Oct. 2, 2023
He will likely need some therapy and handholding to get to a place where he’ll take responsibility in the way you want him to, but you can outsource the handholding.
From Slate • Nov. 17, 2022
It does a fair amount of handholding to introduce you to different features, but it never feels intrusive.
From The Verge • Sep. 1, 2022
“Inflation is expected to rise in the coming months, and the Fed may need to provide more handholding to the market during this price spike.”
From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2021
"Because wouldn't it be better," I say, "if the handholding really just meant they were connected, and you didn't have to think about the other possibilities?"
From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
