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.

---

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

But rapidly it became obvious that the provinces united had become too important to be held in leading strings.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various

Keep a people in leading strings, it is said, and the moment the strings break, or are worn out, the people will not know where to go.

From The Moors in Spain by Lane-Poole, Stanley

"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

This everlasting keeping him in leading strings was not to be borne.

From The Son of His Mother by Viebig, Clara