molly-coddle

A man is called a molly-coddle for avoiding the muddy path.

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To pamper or protect excessively: "molly-coddle" means to treat someone with excessive care, indulgence, or protection, often to the point of preventing them from developing resilience or independence.
   • To treat overindulgently: To coddle or baby someone beyond what is necessary or beneficial.

2. Noun (archaic or less common):

   • An overprotected person: "molly-coddle" can refer to a person, especially a man, who is weak, effeminate, or overly delicate due to being excessively pampered.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Parents who molly-coddle their children may hinder their ability to face challenges. (To treat children with too much protection, making them less independent.)
  • The coach refused to molly-coddle the players; he expected them to work hard. (The coach did not pamper or indulge the players.)

• Noun:

  • He was considered a molly-coddle by his peers because he never did any physical work. (A weak, overprotected man.)

Advanced Usage

• "to molly-coddle oneself": to indulge in excessive self-care or avoid discomfort.
  • After the breakup, she decided to molly-coddle herself with spa days and comfort food. (She treated herself with excessive indulgence.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mollycoddled (adj): having been excessively pampered or protected.

  • The mollycoddled child struggled to adapt to boarding school. (The child, who was overprotected, found it hard to adjust.)

• Mollycoddling (n): the act of excessive pampering.

  • Constant mollycoddling can lead to a lack of resilience in adulthood. (The practice of overprotecting.)

Synonyms

• Coddle: to treat with excessive care; to pamper.
• Pamper: to indulge with excessive attention or luxury.
• Baby: to treat like a child; to overprotect.
• Spoil: to harm someone's character by giving them too much or being too lenient.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• "Wrap in cotton wool": to protect someone excessively, similar to molly-coddling.

  • The grandmother wrapped her grandson in cotton wool, never letting him play outside. (She protected him too much.)

• "Handle with kid gloves": to treat someone very carefully or gently.

  • The fragile star was handled with kid gloves by the studio. (Treated with excessive care.)