Handle with kid gloves

Definitions

• Handle with care or gentleness
  To be cautious and gentle when dealing with someone or something, usually because they are delicate or sensitive in some way

• Treat someone with extreme care or sensitivity
  To be very careful and considerate in how one interacts with or speaks to someone, often because they are important or influential in some way

• Deal with a situation delicately
  To approach and navigate a situation with great care and sensitivity, often because it is a difficult or sensitive matter and requires careful handling

Examples of Handle with kid gloves

• The CEO advised us to handle our client's delicate situation with kid gloves.

  In this context, "handle with kid gloves" means to be extremely careful and gentle in managing a sensitive or troublesome situation. Kid gloves refer to surgical gloves made of soft, white cotton that are sensitive to the touch and were traditionally worn by doctors during surgery to avoid damaging delicate body tissue. This idiom highlights the importance of being cautious in handling delicate matters, just as kid gloves are necessary to handle delicate body tissue without harm.

• The government diplomatically handled the political crisis with kid gloves.

  Here, "handle with kid gloves" is used to describe how the government approached a challenging political situation delicately, without causing further tension or harm. Compared to the first example, this instance speaks to a specific political situation, where kid gloves represent the need to handle the situation tactfully, diplomatically, and with great care to avoid worsening the situation.

• The moderator at the debate carefully managed the tense discourse between the candidates, handling it with kid gloves.

  This example uses "handle with kid gloves" to convey that the moderator skillfully managed the debate, being conscious of the ease with which tense discussions can become chaotic or combative. Like kid gloves, the moderator's approach needed to be gentle, sensitive, and cautious, handling the situation in a way that would avoid inflaming the underlying tension and keep everyone engaged in a productive dialogue.

• The artist approached the difficult sculpture project with kid gloves, being mindful of the intricate details required to make it a success.

  In this example, "handle with kid gloves" highlights the artist's methodical approach to the project, aimed at handling the intricate details of the sculpture with the same level of care and attention as one would handle delicate tissue with kid gloves. The figurative use of kid gloves here underscores the importance of treating complex projects with the same level of precision, tenderness, and gentleness as one would apply while handling delicate tissue.

• When presenting the new marketing strategy to the CEO, it's crucial to handle it with kid gloves. This means being extra cautious and delicate in presenting the ideas, as the CEO can sometimes be sensitive and react poorly to abrupt or forceful presentations.

  The phrase "handle with kid gloves" is a figure of speech that originated in the late 1800s in England. Kid gloves are a type of gloves made from kid leather, a soft and delicate material often used to make gloves for babies. The term "handle with kid gloves" metaphorically implies treating something delicately, with care and caution, as if it were fragile and easily damaged, much like how a baby's delicate skin requires the use of kid gloves to avoid causing any harm.

• The President's public image is already fragile due to recent scandals, so any comments made by the spokesperson in future press conferences must be handled with kid gloves.

  In this example, "handle with kid gloves" is being used to indicate that any future statements made by the spokesperson must be carefully crafted and chosen, taking into account the current political climate and the recent scandals that have damaged the President's image. This is because any insensitive or poorly worded statements could further damage the President's reputation and risks provoking an adverse reaction.

• The wealthy art collector was suspicious of the antique forgery and insisted that it be handled with kid gloves during the investigation.

  "Handle with kid gloves" is used in this example to illustrate that the art collector is being cautious and sensitive about the investigation into the antique forgery. This is because the authenticity of the artwork is in question, and any rough or careless handling could potentially damage or destroy the piece, making it more difficult to determine whether it is genuine or a forgery. By handling the antique with kid gloves, the investigation can be conducted more carefully and without causing any further damage or harm to the artwork.Try to think of another example of how the phrase "handle with kid gloves" can be applied in a real-life scenario, and share it with us!

Conclusion

The idiom "handle with kid gloves" is often used to caution against engaging in a particular activity or task, advising that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. It can also be used to suggest treating someone with extreme care and sensitivity, or to approach a difficult situation delicately.

Origin of "Handle with kid gloves"

The phrase "handle with kid gloves" originated in the 1800s and was associated with the delicate gloves made from the skin of young goats, also known as "kids." These gloves were known for their softness and were commonly used for handling delicate or valuable objects.

Over time, the phrase evolved to refer to handling people or situations with the same care and gentleness as one would handle delicate objects. It has also been linked to the idea of treating someone with respect and consideration, as one would treat a person of high status or importance.

The idiom has become a commonly used phrase in English, conveying the idea of handling something or someone with great care and sensitivity.