kid-gloves
Soft leather handwear
Kid gloves are gloves made from the soft leather of a young goat.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in handle with kid gloves or treat with kid gloves—to approach someone or something with extreme delicacy or caution, as if the subject were fragile or easily offended.
The hyphenated form is adjectival: a kid-gloves approach to diplomacy.
Socially sensitive and careful
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gentleSoft and kind
- considerateMindful of others' needs
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
subtle · diplomatic · courteous · respectful · finesse · soft-spoken · measured · polite
Exercising caution and attention
- gingerlyWith wary caution
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waryGuardedly alert
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
prudent · guarded · meticulous · reserved · light-handed · mindful · thoughtful · attentive
tactful
Socially sensitive and careful
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gentleSoft and kind
- considerateMindful of others' needs
discreet · subtle · diplomatic · courteous · respectful · finesse · soft-spoken · measured · polite · restrained
careful
Exercising caution and attention
circumspect · prudent · guarded · meticulous · reserved · light-handed · mindful · thoughtful · attentive · soft-pedal
leather
Tanned animal skin
chamois · velvet · silken · elegant · exquisite · refined · luxurious · fine · supple · soft
tender
Soft or sore
fine · supple · smooth · pampering · coddling · indulgent · nurturing · lenient · easy · sparing
kid-glovesrough treatment
Unkind physical handling
heavy-handed · iron fist · hardball · rough-and-tumble · brutal
kid-glovesblunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
brusque · harsh · abrasive · confrontational · in-your-face
kid-glovesblunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
direct · no-nonsense · plain-spoken · undiplomatic · brutally honest