{To be tied to a wife's apron strings} or {To be tied to a
mother's apron strings}, to be unduly controlled by a wife or
mother.
[1913 Webster]
He was so made that he could not submit to be tied to the apron strings even of the best of wives. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
apron string — n. a string for tying an apron on tied to one s mother s apron strings or tied to one s wife s apron strings dominated by one s mother (or wife, etc.) * * * … Universalium
apron string — n. a string for tying an apron on tied to one s mother s apron strings or tied to one s wife s apron strings dominated by one s mother (or wife, etc.) … English World dictionary
apron-string-hold — obsolete the occupation by a man of his wife s property The use satirized English and Welsh land tenure freehold, leasehold, or copyhold. It also indicates what people thought of a man who lived off the estate of his wife, whose property … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
apron string — noun (usually used in the plural) a cord used to tie an apron at the waist • Hypernyms: ↑cord • Part Holonyms: ↑apron * * * noun : the string of an apron usually used in plural as a symbol of complete dependence on or domineering control by a… … Useful english dictionary
apron-string — aˈpron string noun A string by which an apron is tied • • • Main Entry: ↑apron … Useful english dictionary
apron string — noun Date: 1542 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 > … New Collegiate Dictionary
apron string — noun a) One of the pair of strings or narrow sewn cloth strips used to fasten an apron around the wearers waist. b) A symbol of the binding of a husband or of his fortunes to domestic life or to his wife … Wiktionary
tied to an apron string — vp Dominated by the wife or a woman. Fred can t go fishing on the weekend; he s tied to his wife s apron string. 1930s … Historical dictionary of American slang
apron string hold — noun An estate held by a man during his wifes life … Wiktionary
apron — (n.) mid 15c., faulty separation (Cf. ADDER (Cf. adder), UMPIRE (Cf. umpire)) of a napron (c.1300), from O.Fr. naperon small table cloth, dim. of nappe cloth, from L. mappa napkin. Napron was still in use as recently as late 16c. The shift of… … Etymology dictionary
