Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

handle with kid gloves

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.93 in modern English

Syllables: han-dle with- kid -gloves
IPA

38

Scrabble Score

19

Letters

4

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To treat (a person or a subject) very delicately or carefully, especially so as not to cause offense or controversy.

Example Sentences

"The campaign staff cautioned the candidate to handle the issue with kid gloves."
"He does not trifle with them, or handle them with kid gloves. No, he judges them to be the scum of the earth, and he treats them accordingly by putting them away."
"[Richard] Ingrams has always enjoyed a reputation for insensitivity. As with other columnists in the British press, he treads on toes to make his point and rides roughshod over issues that others handle with kid gloves, or avoid altogether."

Etymology

From kid glove.

Inflected Forms

handles with kid gloves (present, singular) handling with kid gloves (participle, present) handled with kid gloves (participle, past) handled with kid gloves (past)

Phrases

wrap in cotton wool

Frequently Paired Words

wrap in cotton wool

Synonyms

treat with kid gloves

Questions

What does handle with kid gloves mean?: To treat (a person or a subject) very delicately or carefully, especially so as not to cause offense or controversy.
Where does handle with kid gloves come from?: From kid glove.

How to pronounce handle with kid gloves

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