mollycoddle

/ˈmɒlikɒdl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːlikɑːdl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmä-lē-ˌkä-dᵊl/ (ame, mw)

mollycoddle — verb

  • mollycoddlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • mollycoddleshe / she / it
  • mollycoddledpast simple
  • mollycoddling-ing form

1. to look after someone in such an over-careful way that they do not learn to deal

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to look after someone in such an over-careful way that they do not learn to deal with ordinary problems by themselves

例句

Diego's parents mollycoddled him so much that he never took the bus alone.

mollycoddle + someone so much that-clause

The coach refused to mollycoddle the new players after the first defeat.

refuse to mollycoddle + object

同義詞
  • coddle

    closest match; also stresses over-gentle treatment

  • pamper

    focuses more on comfort and luxury than on protection from difficulty

  • spoil

    emphasizes the bad result in the person's character or behaviour

反義詞
  • toughen

    suggests making someone stronger by exposing them to difficulty

  • challenge

    focuses on giving someone demanding tasks instead of shielding them

文法句型

mollycoddle + someone

mollycoddle + someone so much that ...

用法筆記

Usually disapproving. The person being mollycoddled is often a child, student, player, or employee who is being protected from normal difficulty rather than helped to grow stronger.

常見錯誤

❌Good teachers mollycoddle nervous students before exams.
✅Good teachers reassure nervous students before exams.
💡'mollycoddle' is negative and suggests too much protection, not helpful support.
❌The hotel mollycoddled its guests with soft pillows.
✅The hotel pampered its guests with soft pillows.
💡'mollycoddle' is usually about overprotecting a person, not giving luxury treatment.

mollycoddle — noun