nanny state
8
7.7
- noun
- /ˈnæni steɪt/
- Literature
:
estado niñera
- The era of small government is over, he writes, and the nanny state is in full swing.
- become a nanny state
May scoff at the warnings as nanny state silliness, but to auditory experts, the danger is very real.
- May scoff at the warnings as nanny state silliness, but to auditory experts, the danger is very real.
- And on the other side it's sort of over indexed on a nanny state with no plan.
- We've got some difficult, maybe problematic talk on protectionism and a nanny state for the favorite groups.
- I don't know if you say nanny state but just control to government that when executed poorly has created a complete distrust in government.
Examples
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The crappiness of living in a nanny state is also a strong argument against the ban.
Blog text (26) -
I don't want a nanny state at the federal, state, or local level.
Blog text (4) -
You have proved our point: when you have a nanny state, you are not free.
Blog text (21) -
You just have to love the power that the nanny-state mayor has.
Blog text (12) -
We are becoming more and more socialistic in this nanny state that we call America.
Blog text (25) -
And finally, we moved away from our constitution and allowed the nanny state to become all-powerful.
Blog text (11) -
In this way, Benedict, according to Cordes, is opposing the so-called "nanny state" that does everything for everyone.
Academic text (2007) -
Many citizens feel that the government has become a nanny state, limiting their personal freedoms with excessive regulations.
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Critics argue that the nanny state is undermining individual responsibility by creating dependency on government assistance.
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The debate about whether we live in a nanny state often centers around the role of government in people's daily lives.
Synonyms
4
8.4
People in charge limit others' freedom and choices, saying it is for their good
Antonyms
27
8.8
Belief that people should have as much personal freedom as possible with little government control
How Interventionist
1
7.6
- Literature
8
7.7
- Formal
4
8.4
- Jargon
- Formal
7
8.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a government regarded as overprotective' is a direct, metaphorical composition of 'nanny' (a caregiver who watches/controls children) + 'state' (government). This noun+state pattern is common in English (and mirrored in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the intended sense.
Etymology
Nanny state comes from comparing the state to a nanny who looks after children and decides what they can do or eat. That's why nanny state means a government that is 'too protective' and 'limits people's freedom'.