cling to the skirts of
The phrase "cling to the skirts of" originates from the imagery of a child holding onto their mother's clothing for reassurance and safety. It is often used to describe dependency or close association.
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Definition
C1General
(informal)To depend heavily on someone for support or protection, often in an overly reliant manner.
Example
- He tends to cling to the skirts of his older sister whenever he feels insecure.
C1General
(informal)To stay very close to someone, often seeking attention or approval.
Example
- The young intern clung to the skirts of her mentor during the entire conference.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cling to the skirts of":
cling tohang uponhang behindhang offtrail behindglom ontohang one on