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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apron string.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of apron string was in 1542

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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