What Does "Cut the Umbilical Cord" Mean?
"Cut the umbilical cord" is an English idiom. It means "to gain independence from someone or something, especially a parent."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "cut the umbilical cord" used in a sentence:- He's 30 years old; it's time to cut the umbilical cord and live on his own.
- She cut the umbilical cord and traveled the world without any assistance.
- Cutting the umbilical cord is a significant step in one's journey to self-reliance.

What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Cut the Umbilical Cord" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "cut the umbilical cord" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold

Silver

Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?