bonus child

An alternative to the title "step-child," which is a child of a step-parent who assumed the parental role through marriage to one of the child's original (usually biological) parents. Most commonly, the step-parent is the second spouse of one of the child's biological parents. My bonus children come to visit their father and me every other weekend. Just because you're my bonus child doesn't mean I love you any less. I have two kids from my first marriage and two bonus children from my second marriage.

boomerang child

An adult child who has resumed living with their parents after previously moving out. I never planned to be a boomerang child—but then I got laid off. I was in so much student loan debt after I graduated that I became a boomerang child once my loans went into repayment. I only have one kid, and I don't mind her being a boomerang child while she saves for a house of her own.

brainchild

Something that one has thought of or devised, especially when it is creative or clever. This harebrained scheme was your brother's brainchild, wasn't it? This feature is my brainchild, and I'm going to see it through till the end, don't worry. If this thing was your brainchild, can you explain to me what the heck is going on here?

children and fools tell the truth

proverb Children and fools do not know that lying can sometimes be useful, helpful, or preferable to the truth. A: "I was mortified when my son told that woman her hairstyle was ugly." B: "Well, children and fools tell the truth." A: "I think my husband's just being nice." B: "Well, if you want to know if your outfit actually looks good, ask your little girl—children and fools tell the truth." Bro, why would you criticize your girlfriend's taste in decorating? Only children and fools tell the truth!

See also: and, children, fool, tell, truth

children should be seen and not heard

proverb Children should not speak among adults unless they are addressed; children should be quiet and well-behaved. My grandmother was always shushing us because she was of the opinion that children should be seen and not heard. I'm sorry you're annoyed by the noise, but I don't believe that children should be seen and not heard. Shouldn't children be allowed to be children? Even though I was upset and looking for my mom, mean old Aunt Janie sent me out of the kitchen, saying, "Children should be seen and not heard."

See also: and, children, hear, not, seen, should

flower child

dated A hippie, especially one who is from the 1960s or adopts the style and manner thereof. My grandmother was a prototypical flower child back in the 60s, singing protest songs and living out of a VW van adorned with peace signs and groovy colors. The secluded community is run by old-school flower children who put an emphasis on peace, anti-materialism, and care for the environment. A: "Mom, you were a flower child?" B: "You bet I was. I was at Woodstock!"

golden child

A girl or man who is popular, admired, and successful. The term sometimes implies that the individual's faults are overlooked by others. Ms. Khatri has been the golden girl of the industry ever since her meteoric rise to fame in the late 2000s. Tom was always the golden child of our family. It just seemed like he could do no wrong in our parents' eyes. Please, my sister is the golden child. She does everything right, and I do everything wrong.

heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men

proverb A phrase used to explain how these vulnerable groups are able to avoid harm. Of course heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men—how do you think Billy's managed to avoid hurting himself when he rides his bike so recklessly? Heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men—and, thank goodness, because they sure are vulnerable. A: "I don't understand how my bitter drunk of a father is still around." B: "Because heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men, that's how."

See also: and, drunken, heaven, men, protect

latchkey child

A child who is home alone after school or in general because their parents or guardians are at work. I know it makes me sound horrible, but I just don't want Tommy hanging out with those latchkey children from down the road. Being a latchkey child was tough at times, but it taught me the value of self-reliance at an earlier age than most.

poster child

A person (usually an adult, not a child) who typifies or is the perfect example of a particular characteristic, attitude, opinion, cause, or type of person. Pete managed to disassemble their washing machine, fix the leak, and then reassemble it all by himself? Wow, he's like the DIY poster child! Ms. Walsh built her fortune from nothing, through her own tireless work and intense ambition. She really is the poster child for the rags-to-riches American Dream.

poster child for (something)

A person (usually an adult, not a child) who typifies or is the perfect example of a particular characteristic, attitude, opinion, cause, or type of person. Pete managed to disassemble their washing machine, fix the leak, and then reassemble it all by himself? Wow, he's like the poster child for DIY repairs! Ms. Walsh built her fortune from nothing, through her own tireless work and intense ambition. She really is the poster child for the rags-to-riches American Dream.

step-child

A child of a step-parent who assumed the parental role through marriage to one of the child's original (usually biological) parents. Most commonly, the step-parent is the second spouse of one of the child's biological parents. My step-children come to visit their father and me every other weekend.

Thatcher's children

A nickname for the generation of people who grew up with Margaret Thatcher as a major political figure in the UK. Primarily heard in UK. Because we are Thatcher's children, we are very familiar with her political leanings and accomplishments.

the cobbler's children are the worst shod

proverb Someone who is busy using their skills for the sake of other people often neglects to look after themselves or their family. A: "Isn't their mother a seamstress? Why are their clothes always so tattered?" B: "Well, you know what they say—the cobbler's children are the worst shod." My father is one of the top architects in the world, designing some of the most extravagant and innovative buildings in existence, yet we still live in this pokey little cottage. The cobbler's children are the worst shod, I guess.

the devil's children have the devil's luck

People who do evil things often seem to have good luck despite their actions. Naturally, the criminal carried out another attack—the devil's children have the devil's luck, after all.

the shoemaker's children go barefoot

proverb Someone who is busy using their skills for the sake of other people often neglects to look after themselves or their family. A: "Isn't their mother a seamstress? Why are their clothes always so tattered?" B: "Well, you know what they say—the shoemaker's children go barefoot." My father is one of the top architects in the world, designing some of the most extravagant and innovative buildings in existence, yet we still live in this pokey little cottage. The shoemaker's children go barefoot, I guess.

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

The ill deeds or wrongdoings of one generation will result in the punishment or suffering of the next. The phrase comes from the Bible (Numbers 14:18): "[God] will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children." You're a fool to think that you can keep your kids safe while you do business with the mob. After all, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children.

See also: children, father, of, sin, upon, visit

think of the children

Consider how a particular course of action will affect young people. The phrase is often used in a panicked way, to draw attention or support to a cause. Think of the children—if they don't have a park to play in, they will turn to unsavory activities instead. We need to band together to discourage drunk driving. Think of the children!

What about the children?

Consider how a particular course of action will affect young people. The phrase can be used sincerely to draw attention or support to a cause, or sarcastically to mock those who are perceived as being overly protective. What about the children? If they don't have a park to play in, they will turn to unsavory activities instead. A: "I just don't think such violence is appropriate in a family film." B: "Oh dear, oh dear, what about the children? However will their poor impressionable minds be able to handle a tiny amount of slapstick comedy?"

women and children first

cliché The maxim that women and children should be put out of harm's way before men. Used especially in reference to ships sinking, most famously associated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Begin loading passengers onto the lifeboats, women and children first!

Children and fools tell the truth.

Prov. Children have not yet learned, and fools never did learn, that it is often advantageous to lie. Fred: What will I tell Ellen when she asks why I'm so late getting home? Alan: Tell her the truth—we were out having a few drinks. Fred: Children and fools tell the truth, Alan.

See also: and, children, fool, tell, truth

children should be seen and not heard

Prov. Children should not speak in the presence of adults. (Often used as a way to rebuke a child who has spoken when he or she should not.) You may come out and meet the party guests if you'll remember that children should be seen and not heard.

See also: and, children, hear, not, seen, should

devil's children have the devil's luck

Prov. Evil people often seem to have good luck. The police thought they had trapped the murderer, but he escaped. The devil's children have the devil's luck.

Heaven protects children(, sailors,) and drunken men.

Prov. Children(, sailors,) and drunk(ard)s often escape being injured in dangerous situations. (Often used to express amazement that a child, sailor, or drunk person has escaped injury.) Jill: Did you hear? A little girl fell out of a second-floor window in our apartment building. Jane: Was she killed? Jill: She wasn't even hurt. Jane: Heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men. Mike was so drunk he shouldn't even have been conscious, but he managed to drive home without hurting himself or anyone else; heaven protects children and drunkards.

See also: and, children, drunken, heaven, men, protect

poster child (for something)

Fig. someone who is a classic example of a state or type of person. She is a poster child for soccer moms.

brainchild

1. n. someone’s good idea viewed as an offspring of the brain. Is this your brainchild? It won’t work.

2. n. a person who has good ideas. The boss’s new brainchild seems to have gone dry.

flower children

Hippies of the 1960s, so named because they frequently wore or carried flowers as symbols of love and peace. Their antimaterialistic, antiwar philosophy was characterized as flower power, whose motto was “Make love, not war.” Overused for several decades, these terms now may be dying out.