leading strings
Americanplural noun
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strings for leading and supporting a child learning to walk.
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
If the people will stand it, then they deserve to be kept in leading strings by all that medley.
From Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863 by De Gurowski, Adam G., count
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
It is not a cause for wonder, therefore, quite apart from special sources of discontent, that Cuba, which, by position is thrown into contact with progressive peoples, should chafe at her leading strings.
From Porto Rico Its History, Products and Possibilities... by Hall, Arthur D.
"Cast off your leading strings, and work out your own theories to suit yourselves," Bobby answered unhesitatingly.
From The Dominant Strain by Edwards, H. C. (Harry C.)
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.
