handle with kid gloves
Related to handle with kid gloves: treat with kid gloves, gloves are off
handle (someone or something) with kid gloves
To handle with very gentle care, often to the point of coddling. Kid gloves are very soft leather gloves, typically made from the skin of a young goat (a "kid"). I can't stand the way my family always handles us with kid gloves, trying to protect us from every little thing! We'll need to handle the two parties in the merger with kid gloves—both clients are extremely sensitive.
See also: glove, handle, kid
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
handle someone with kid gloves
Fig. to be very careful with a touchy person. Bill has become so sensitive. You really have to handle him with kid gloves. You don't have to handle me with kid gloves. I can take it.
See also: glove, handle, kid
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
kid gloves, to handle/treat with
To deal with very gently. This term, dating from the nineteenth century, is an elaboration of the slightly earlier term to handle without gloves, meaning to treat harshly. Gloves made of kidskin, from the hide of a young goat, were known from the early eighteenth century on and were considered elegant finery, whence the transfer to delicate treatment.
See also: handle, kid, treat
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- handle (someone or something) with kid gloves
- handle someone or something with kid gloves
- handle, treat, etc. somebody with kid gloves
- treat (someone or something) with kid gloves
- treat someone with kid gloves
- kid gloves
- with kid gloves
- handle (someone or something) with gloves
- handle with gloves
- idiot gloves