wrap in cotton wool
Guard too carefully
To wrap someone in cotton wool is to protect them excessively, shielding them from any possible harm or discomfort.
The image is of fragile objects packed in soft padding for transport.
The phrase usually carries criticism—that such protection is smothering or prevents necessary growth: You can't wrap your children in cotton wool forever.
Chiefly British.
- spoon-feedProvide without requiring effort
- mollycoddleOverindulge with excessive protection
- helicopter parentExcessively controlling caregiver
- smotherDeprive of air
- insulateProtect from temperature transfer
infantilize · pamper · toughen · shield · safeguard · keep safe · safety net · hover · hold hands · cocoon · baby · kid gloves · indulge · defend · fuss over · self-reliance · preserve · overparent
wrap in cotton woolthrow in at the deep end
Start without preparation
throw to the wolves · abandon · neglect · hang out to dry · leave high and dry
wrap in cotton wooltough love
Beneficial strictness from affection
school of hard knocks · free-range parenting · trial by fire · baptism of fire · toughen up
wrap in cotton woolmistreat
To harm or neglect
be cruel to be kind · neglect · abuse · put through the wringer · brutalise
wrap, wrapped, wrapping, wrapper, wrappers, cotton, cottons, cottony, wool