kid glove

From kid gloves (made from the skin of a young lamb or goat), a particularly fine, soft material.

kid glove (plural kid gloves)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see kid,‎ glove.
2. (often in plural) A metaphorical representation of careful handling.
   • 2005, Jeffrey John Kripal, Glenn W. Shuck, On the Edge of the Future: Esalen and the Evolution of American Culture, page 154:

     His friend Penny Vieregge provided a glimpse into his actual experience when she described the "incredible fragility" in Dick at the time, "like fine, fine, porcelain. . . . I wanted to put on kid gloves and be there in case the shattering came."

   • 2008, Barbie Jones, The Power to Choose - A Victim No More, page 44:

     This time around the enemy took off the kid gloves. He saw that his previous plans to destroy me had failed. Instead of sending boys to do a man's job, he sent a man that he knew would win me over.

   • 2009, In The Loop, BBC Films:

     Malcolm: Be gentle with them.
     Jamie: Oh, you know me Malc. Kid gloves, but made from real kids.

   He's usually very sensitive about this sort of thing; make sure you put on your kid gloves before you see him.

• handle with kid gloves
• kid-glove