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Wrap in Cotton Wool

What Does "Wrap in Cotton Wool" Mean?

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"Wrap in cotton wool" is an English idiom. It means "to protect or treat someone with excessive care or caution, often to the point of being overprotective."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "wrap in cotton wool" used in a sentence:
  • She tends to wrap her children in cotton wool, worrying about their safety at all times.
  • The manager decided to wrap the valuable artwork in cotton wool to prevent any damage during transport.
  • He felt suffocated by his parents, who constantly wrapped him in cotton wool, limiting his independence.
meaning for wrap in cotton wool

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 "Wrap in Cotton Wool" 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.

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