apron string
Noun
One of the pair of strings or narrow sewn clothstrips used to fasten an apron around the wearer's waist.
- Related words
A symbol of the domestic ties binding a male to a female (as a husband to a wife or a son to a mother).
Usage- idiomatic
- plural-normally
- Examples
-
tied to someone's apron strings
[T]he opinion of the country was that my lord was tied to his wife's apron-strings, and that she ruled over him.
More examples (2)
Yes, Stiva may be right, I'm not manly with her, I'm tied to her apron-strings… Well, it can't be helped!
"Pooh!" said Jerry, throwing out his chest, "I guess I can take care of myself without being tied to my mother's apron strings!"
Noun
(usually used in the plural) a cord used to tie an apron at the waist
- Broader terms
Word forms
apron stringsapron-string