apron strings
Symbol of dependence
Apron strings are the ties that fasten an apron, but the term almost always appears figuratively.
To be tied to someone's apron strings is to be excessively dependent on them, especially a mother or wife.
The image suggests childlike attachment—following someone around the kitchen, never venturing far.
He never cut the apron strings means he never achieved independence.
- overprotectionExcessive safeguarding of another
- mother henOverprotective caretaker type
- kitchenFood preparation room
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- umbilical cordFetal-placental connection
silver cord · swaddling clothes · infantilization · parental influence · dependency · motherhood · reliance · loosening · letting go · cut loose · break free · cutting · maternal · mama's boy · leash · clinginess · holding on · helicopter parenting
- kitchen gearoven mitts, pot holders, chef hat, chef coat, chef whites
- overprotectivesmothered, hovering, helicopter parenting, mollycoddled, infantilized
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
- overparentinghelicopter parenting, helicopter parent, overprotective, overprotection, overprotecting
- clothing tiescravat, ascot, bolo tie, bow, obi
apron stringsindependence
Freedom from external control
autonomy · self-reliance · freedom · emancipation · self-sufficiency
apron stringsadulthood
State of being grown
maturity · grown-up · coming of age · self-governance · worldliness
apron stringsadulthood
State of being grown
maturity · coming of age · grown-up · leaving the nest · separation