# apron string

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/apron-string
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A symbol of the domestic ties binding a male to a female (as a husband to a wife or a son to a mother).

## Examples

- He is still tied to his mother's apron strings.
- At thirty, he finally moved out to stop living under his mother's apron strings.
- Despite his professional success, he remained emotionally tethered to his wife's apron strings, unable to make even minor decisions without her approval.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.