cradle (redirected from cradling)

from the cradle to the grave

Fig. from birth to death. The government promised to take care of us from the cradle to the grave. You can feel secure and well-protected from the cradle to the grave.

See also: grave

rob the cradle

Fig. to marry or date someone who is much younger than oneself. I hear that Bill is dating Ann. Isn't that sort of robbing the cradle? She's much younger than he is. Uncle Bill—who is nearly eighty—married a thirty-year-old woman. That is really robbing the cradle.

See also: rob

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Prov. Mothers are the most powerful people, because they shape their children's personalities. When Lena got pregnant, Lena's mother told her to take her responsibility seriously, because the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

See also: hand, rock, rule, world

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a cradle-robber  (American humorous)

someone who has a romantic or sexual relationship with a much younger partner He's a cradle-robber. He married a 16-year-old and he's nearly 30! (American Humorous)

a cradle-snatcher  (British & Australian humorous)

someone who has a romantic or sexual relationship with a much younger partner He's three years younger than you? You cradle-snatcher! (British & Australian humorous)

from the cradle to the grave

during the whole of your life Free medical care might not be with us from the cradle to the grave, as we once hoped.

See also: grave

The hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world).

something that you say which means women are very powerful because they have most influence over the way in which children develop into adults The article claimed that most of the world's dictators had very domineering mothers. You know what they say, the hand that rocks the cradle.

See could do with one arm tied behind back, hand over the baton, bite the hand that feeds, force hand, hold hand, keep hand in, lay a hand on, lend a hand, live hand to mouth, overplay hand, raise hand against, show hand, throw in hand, tip hand, try hand at, turn hand to, wait on hand and foot, on the one hand...on the other hand, give to on a plate, give to on a platter, have fingers in the till

See also: hand, rock

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from the cradle to the grave also from cradle to grave

during the whole period of your life Free medical care might not be with us from the cradle to the grave, as we once hoped.

Etymology: based on the idea that the cradle (small bed for a baby) represents the beginning of a life, the grave (burying place) represents the end of a life

See also: grave