Children have always been a source of wonder and inspiration, and their behavior often leads to unique expressions in language. Just like other areas of life, idioms related to children reflect the qualities we associate with them; innocence, curiosity, and honesty. These idioms not only add color and personality to everyday conversations but also give insight into cultural perceptions of childhood. Maybe you’re looking to sound more natural in English or you simply want to understand how children are portrayed through language, either way, these idioms will help you enrich your vocabulary and communicate with more fluency and ease.
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15 Idioms About Children
Let’s take a look at 15 commonly used idioms about children. Mastering them will make your English sound more natural and help you use these expressions with ease in everyday conversations.
1. Child’s Play
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: Solving this puzzle was child’s play for her.
2. Bundle of Joy
Meaning: A newborn baby.
Example: Congratulations on your bundle of joy!
3. Throw a Tantrum
Meaning: To have an angry outburst, like a child.
Example: She threw a tantrum when she didn’t get her favorite toy.
4. Like Taking Candy from a Baby
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: Convincing him was like taking candy from a baby.
5. Like a Kid in a Candy Store
Meaning: Very excited and happy about something.
Example: He was like a kid in a candy store when he saw all the video games.
6. Little Pitchers Have Big Ears
Meaning: Children often overhear things, so adults should be careful what they say around them.
Example: I stopped talking about the surprise gift because little pitchers have big ears.
7. Crybaby
Meaning: Someone who cries or complains easily (often used for children).
Example: Don’t be such a crybaby. It’s just a small scratch.
8. Knee-high to a Grasshopper
Meaning: Very young or small.
Example: I’ve known her since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.
9. Babe in Arms
Meaning: A very young baby who is still small enough to be carried.
Example: She arrived at the party with a babe in arms, just a few months old.
10. New Kid on the Block
Meaning: Someone who is new to a place, group, or situation.
Example: I just joined the soccer team, so I’m the new kid on the block.
11. Babe in the Woods
Meaning: Someone who is innocent, inexperienced, or unaware of danger.
Example: She’s just a babe in the woods, she’s so innocent.
12. Sleep Like a Baby
Meaning: To sleep very deeply and peacefully.
Example: After a long day, I slept like a baby all night.
13. Children and Fools Tell the Truth
Meaning: Kids and naive people often speak honestly, even when others wouldn’t.
Example: When I asked if my cooking was good, my nephew said “no”, children and fools tell the truth.
14. Problem Child
Meaning: A child who often causes trouble or is difficult to manage.
Example: He’s a problem child because he always gets into fights at school.
15. Ankle-biter
Meaning: A playful or humorous way to refer to a small child.
Example: The park was full of ankle-biters running around and laughing.
Example Sentences of Idioms About Children
Let’s check out some example sentences to see how these idioms can be used in everyday conversations. Understanding them in context makes it easier to add them to your vocabulary and use them naturally.
– Building that model tower was child’s play for him.
– Their tiny bundle of joy arrived last week and changed everything.
– The toddler threw a tantrum when it was time to leave the playground.
– Beating my little brother at checkers was like taking candy from a baby.
– She walked into the bookstore like a kid in a candy store, not knowing where to start.
– Let’s talk about it later, little pitchers have big ears around here.
– He acted like a crybaby just because he didn’t get his turn first.
– My grandpa has pictures of me from when I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
– They brought their babe in arms to the family picnic.
– As the new kid on the block, she was still learning everyone’s names.
– He was a babe in the woods on his first day at school.
– After eating that big dinner, I went to bed and slept like a baby.
– She told me my hair is messy, children and fools tell the truth, I guess.
– They tried different activities to help the problem child focus better in class.
– That little ankle-biter just ran past me with a juice box and no shoes on!
Frequently Asked Questions About English Idioms About Children
Are idioms about children only for talking about kids?
Not necessarily. While they often refer to children, many idioms are also used metaphorically in other situations, such as describing naivety, honesty, or simplicity, which can apply to adults too.
Are there idioms about children that can also apply to adults?
Yes, some idioms related to children can also describe adults who behave in childish or innocent ways. For example, “child’s play” can refer to something easy for anyone, not just children.
Are idioms about children formal or informal?
Idioms about children are generally informal. They are commonly used in casual conversations, storytelling, and everyday language. While they can add personality and humor to speech, they are not typically used in formal writing or professional settings.
How can idioms about children make my English sound more natural?
Using idioms in the right context can help you sound more fluent and relatable. They make your speech sound more conversational and engaging, much like how a native speaker would express themselves.
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