Parents must eventually loosen the apron strings as their children grow up.
loosen the apron strings
idiomTo allow greater freedom (to someone); to relax control of (someone).
She realized she needed to loosen the apron strings and let her teenager travel with friends for the summer.
Although it was difficult to watch her daughter make mistakes, the mother knew it was time to loosen the apron strings and trust her to navigate life independently.
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apron string
A symbol of the domestic ties binding a male to a female (as a husband to a wife or a son to a mother).
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hold the purse strings
To be in control of spending; to have financial power and responsibility.
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loosen someone's lips
To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.
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loosen someone's tongue
To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.
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loosen the purse strings
To increase spending or allow increased spending; to relax control of spending.
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no strings attached
Without conditions or obligations; without a catch.
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pull strings
To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal.
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tighten the purse strings
To decrease spending or disallow increased spending; to increase control of spending.