Childhood is a pivotal chapter in everyone’s life story, filled with growth, learning, and boundless imagination. This blog post explores 20 idioms that encapsulate the essence of childhood, offering a nostalgic glance at the whimsical, carefree, and sometimes challenging journey of our early years.
Idioms That Describe Childhood
1. Young at heart
Meaning: Retaining a youthful spirit regardless of age.
Example: Grandma’s young at heart, always playing games.
2. Knee-high to a grasshopper
Meaning: Very small or young.
Example: He’s been curious since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
3. In the springtime of life
Meaning: Being in the early, vibrant phase of life.
Example: They are in the springtime of life, full of energy.
4. Growing like a weed
Meaning: Rapid growth, typically of children.
Example: Look at her grow like a weed this year!
5. Full of beans
Meaning: To have a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: After the nap, he was full of beans again.
6. Throw the baby out with the bathwater
Meaning: Discard the good along with the bad.
Example: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater during reforms.
7. Not born yesterday
Meaning: Not naive or easily fooled.
Example: She wasn’t born yesterday; she’s quite sharp.
8. Cut your teeth
Meaning: To gain initial experience in something.
Example: He cut his teeth in marketing as an intern.
9. As easy as taking candy from a baby
Meaning: Very easy to do.
Example: Winning that game was like taking candy from a baby.
10. Babes in the woods
Meaning: People who are naive or inexperienced.
Example: They entered the stock market as babes in the woods.
11. Paddle your own canoe
Meaning: Be independent and self-reliant.
Example: He learned to paddle his own canoe early.
12. Barefoot and pregnant
Meaning: Outdated stereotype about traditional female roles.
Example: She rejected the barefoot and pregnant lifestyle.
13. A child’s play
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: For her, solving puzzles is child’s play.
14. Like a kid in a candy store
Meaning: To be very excited and enthusiastic.
Example: He was like a kid in a candy store at the fair.
15. Sow wild oats
Meaning: Misbehave recklessly during youth.
Example: He sowed his wild oats, now he’s responsible.
16. Wear short pants
Meaning: To be inexperienced or immature.
Example: He still wears short pants in business matters.
17. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: To be very cautious about one’s actions.
Example: She walks on eggshells around her strict father.
18. Tied to mother’s apron strings
Meaning: Overly dependent on one’s mother.
Example: He’s still tied to his mother’s apron strings.
19. Saved by the bell
Meaning: Rescued from a difficulty at the last moment.
Example: He was saved by the bell at the quiz end.
20. Rob the cradle
Meaning: To date or marry someone much younger.
Example: Isn’t he too old to be robbing the cradle?
