apron string
noun
: the string of an apron
—usually used in plural as a symbol of dominance or complete control
though 40 years old he was still tied to his mother's apron strings
Examples of apron string in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Men who couldn’t, or worse, didn’t want to, were portrayed as marionettes tied to and practically strangled by their mothers’ apron strings.
—
Mark Harris Keita Morimoto, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
If that is the case, butchery can be pulled into the 21st century by its apron strings.
—Olivia Potts, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2024
Weighing in at only five ounces, and sporting a handy little clip, this is a tool you will keep tucked into the pocket of your jeans or, thanks to the carabiner-style hinge, clipped onto your apron string.
—By
sunset, Sunset Magazine, 2 Nov. 2022
To many, the country had been tied to the apron strings of the Bretton Woods institutions and had to wean itself off as soon as possible.
—Priscilla Twumasi-Baffour, Quartz Africa, 8 July 2019
With every royal visit, especially from the Wales brothers and their wives, the idea of cutting the apron strings from the colonial motherland becomes a tougher call.
—Juliet Rieden, Town & Country, 1 Nov. 2018
Hold on to your apron strings, though, the bidding doesn’t begin until May 19.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit, 26 Apr. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Harris Keita Morimoto, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
If that is the case, butchery can be pulled into the 21st century by its apron strings.
—Olivia Potts, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2024
Weighing in at only five ounces, and sporting a handy little clip, this is a tool you will keep tucked into the pocket of your jeans or, thanks to the carabiner-style hinge, clipped onto your apron string.
—By
sunset, Sunset Magazine, 2 Nov. 2022
To many, the country had been tied to the apron strings of the Bretton Woods institutions and had to wean itself off as soon as possible.
—Priscilla Twumasi-Baffour, Quartz Africa, 8 July 2019
With every royal visit, especially from the Wales brothers and their wives, the idea of cutting the apron strings from the colonial motherland becomes a tougher call.
—Juliet Rieden, Town & Country, 1 Nov. 2018
Hold on to your apron strings, though, the bidding doesn’t begin until May 19.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit, 26 Apr. 2018
Dictionary Entries Near apron string
Cite this Entry
“Apron string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apron%20string. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share