C1idiominformalpoliticsIELTS-friendly
the nanny state
USUK
a government that controls people's personal choices too much
Critical, used by people who want less government control. Mainly British.
In context
Critics called the sugar tax another example of the nanny state.
Is a ban on fireworks sensible safety or just the nanny state?
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office