loosen the apron strings

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

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

colloquial, idiomatic

Examples

“They see ⟳ how serious it is not to "loosen the apron strings"; how unfortunate it may be to talk ⟳ about a child in his presence; how we must take ⟳ people where...”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See all C2 English words →

See also

loosen the purse strings loosen up loosened loosened someone's tongue loosened the apron strings loosened the purse strings

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