# loosen the apron strings

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/loosen-the-apron-strings
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To allow greater freedom (to someone); to relax control of (someone).

## Examples

- Parents must eventually loosen the apron strings as their children grow up.
- 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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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.