Childhood Idioms

A List of Phrases that relate in some way to childhood

Ankle biter

Meaning: A slang term for small child.
Example: Janice is pregnant again. With the twins still only two there's soon going to be three ankle biters around the place.

Brum brum

Meaning: Child's play idiom expressing the sound of a vehicle.
Example: Mummy, my toy train goes chuff, chuff, chuff and my car goes brum, brum.

Children should be seen and not heard "
Meaning: Old proverb suggesting that children should not impinge on the adult world.
Example: Grandma is a bit strict. We shouldn't judge her though - things were tougher in her childhood. She was expected to be seen and not heard.

Gee gee

Meaning: Childish term for a horse.
Example: Now Jimmy, whats that picture? Is it a bar lamb or is it a gee-gee?

Little devil!

Meaning: An exclamation of surprise and annoyance, directed at someone who has behaved badly or performed some kind of prank. Often applied to children.
Example: Do you know what those little devils from next door have done now? They've tied the doorknob to the gatepost and I can't get out.

New kid on the block

Meaning: Someone new to the group or area.
Example: Let's go and play with him. Its hard being the new kid on the block.

Ups a daisy

Meaning: A saying, usually to a child, after a stumble or fall, to encourage them to get up. (ups is a variant of whoops).
Example: Ooh, Tommy the toddler, fallen over again have you? Never mind - ups a daisy and let's try again.

Wet behind the ears

Meaning: Young and naive, like a new-born baby.
Example: That Justin Bieber; he thinks he's all grown up but he's really pretty wet behind the ears.

Whipper snapper

Meaning: A child or impertinent youth.
Example: The fourth form have challenged the teachers to a tug of war. We can't lose against a bunch of kids - let's show those whipper snappers how it's done.