babe

*innocent as a lamb and *innocent as a newborn babe 

1. guiltless. (*Also: as ~.) "Hey! You can't throw me in jail," cried the robber. "I'm innocent as a lamb."

2. naive; inexperienced. (*Also: as ~.) She's eighteen years old, but innocent as a newborn babe.

See also: innocent, lamb

babe in arms 

1. Lit. a very young baby that is carried by an adult. I have known that since I was a babe in arms! A young mother with a babe in arms stood in line with the rest of the students.

2. Fig. an innocent or naive person. He's a babe in arms when it comes to taking girls out. Mary has no idea how to win the election. Politically she's a babe in arms.

See also: arm

babe in the woods

Fig. a naive or innocent person; an inexperienced person. (Like a child lost in the woods.) Bill is a babe in the woods when it comes to dealing with plumbers. As a painter, Mary is fine, but she's a babe in the woods as a musician.

See also: Woods

Out of the mouths of babes (oft times come gems).

Prov. Children occasionally say remarkable or insightful things. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle were quietly bickering in the kitchen when their seven-year-old daughter came in and said, "You guys should get counseling." After a surprised pause, Mrs. Doyle remarked, "out of the mouths of babes." Child: Don't eat so much candy, Mommy. Candy is bad for your teeth. Mother: out of the mouths of babes oft times come gems.

See also: mouth, out

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a babe in the woods  (American & Australian)

someone who has not had much experience of life and trusts other people too easily When it comes to dealing with men, she's a babe in the woods.

See also: Woods

Out of the mouths of babes (and sucklings).  (literary)

something that you say when a small child says something that surprises you because it shows an adult's wisdom and understanding of a situation I was so stunned that a child of six could be so adult in her perceptions. Out of the mouths of babes...

See also: mouth, out

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a babe in the woods

someone who has not had much experience in life A few of the players were just babes in the woods, fresh out of high school.

See also: Woods