Sticking to mother's skirts
Meaning
To be overly dependent, timid, or unwilling to act independently, often referring to a child who stays close to their mother for security.
Origin
This vivid phrase paints a timeless picture of a young child, literally grasping onto their mother's clothing for comfort, protection, and security. Historically, women's skirts were often long and full, providing an easy and natural anchor for a small child overwhelmed by a crowd or an unfamiliar situation. The physical act of a child pressing close to their mother's side, hand wrapped around her skirt, became a powerful visual metaphor for dependence and a reluctance to venture out independently. It perfectly captures that universal image of youthful shyness and the slow, often reluctant, journey toward autonomy.
Examples
- Even as a teenager, he showed no ambition to explore on his own, always sticking to mother's skirts whenever a new challenge arose.
- The new intern was so shy on her first day, constantly sticking to mother's skirts by asking her team leader for approval on every small task.