leading strings
plural noun
ˈlē-
1
: strings by which children are sometimes supported when beginning to walk
2
: a state of dependence or tutelage : guidance
leading strings had been so willingly accepted that they were scarcely felt—
E. M. Forster
—usually used in the phrase in leading stringsE. M. Forsterno longer in leading strings to his wife or his wife's father—Francis Hackett
Francis Hackettpassed his whole adolescence in his mother's leading strings—Van Wyck Brooks
Van Wyck BrooksDictionary Entries Near leading strings
Cite this Entry
“Leading strings.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20strings. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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