handle with kid gloves
Approach with caution
To handle with kid gloves is to treat someone or something with extreme care or delicacy, avoiding anything that might cause offense or damage.
Kid gloves are made from soft goatskin leather—too fine for rough work.
The phrase usually implies excessive caution: The press handles him with kid gloves, You don't need to handle me with kid gloves—just tell me the truth.
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- gentleSoft and kind
- treatSomething pleasantly special
- soft touchEasily persuaded person
- softYielding to touch
with care · diplomatic · walk on eggshells · iron fist · fragility · fragile ego · sensitive · empathetic · tender · prudent · compassionate · vulnerable · cautious · considerate · judicious · privileged · special treatment · tactful
handle with kid gloveslay into
Criticize or strike harshly
tear into · rake over the coals · manhandle · read the riot act · steamroll
handle with kid glovesthrow to the wolves
Abandon to hostile forces
sink or swim · tough love · throw in at the deep end · baptism by fire · trial by fire
handle, handles, handled, handling, handler, handlers, kidded, kidding, glove