adult


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adult

verb To act mature and responsible. This slang term is typically used humorously by young adults. Ugh, I can't adult today—I'm going back to bed. I hate cooking and generally refuse to do it. I wonder if I'll ever be able to adult. A: "Come on, you’re going to have to adult here." B: "But why can't you just call the insurance company for me?"

adulting

slang The (sometimes daunting) task of acting mature and responsible. Usually used humorously by young adults. Does this mean I have to cook for myself now? I hate adulting. Adulting is the worst—as soon as I get paid, the money goes directly to bills. A: "You’re going to have to call the insurance company yourself." B: "Aw, man. I hate adulting."
See also: adult

large adult son

An oafish man prone to rambunctious behavior, despite having reached adulthood. The frequent subject of memes, the phrase is often linked to a family photo of American politician Mike Huckabee that includes his two literally large adult sons. Despite being 35 years old, my son is such a doofus. I can't believe I have a large adult son. My large adult sons just gave our dog a bath in the trunk of my car.
See also: adult, large, son

older adult

A person past middle age, perhaps (but not necessarily) elderly. Now that I'm an older adult, I have all these aches and pains that I never felt before. You don't have to speak loudly to them, you know—not all older adults have trouble hearing.
See also: adult, older

the adult in the room

The person in a group who is behaving in a mature or responsible manner. These meetings always devolve into petty finger-pointing, leaving me feeling like the only adult in the room. Bill, enough with the stupid, juvenile remarks. The adults in the room are trying to have a real discussion here.
See also: adult, room
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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