runt of the litter

1. Lit. the smallest animal born in a litter; the animal in a litter least likely to survive. No one wanted to buy the runt of the litter, so we kept it.

2. and the runt of the family Fig. the smallest child in the family. I was the runt of the litter and the butt of all the jokes.

See also: litter, of, runt

References in periodicals archive ?

She was the runt of the litter so we took her early when she was seven weeks to give her the best chance and have hand reared her so we are really attached.

DOG KNAPPED Kai with Alice (insets) /; Children are left heart-broken after puppy is taken from car boot sale

She may have been the runt of the litter and have a number of genetic problems (including a protruding tongue), but she proves cream rises to the top.

Cats with cattitude! ANIMALSNot only are these guys cute, they're the coolest cats in town. Plus, they're so popular on the internet, they probably have their own agents

Having plucked his name from the fog of his mind, Thomas forges friendships with Alby, second-in-command Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and runt of the litter Chuck (Blake Cooper).

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Having plucked his name from the fog of his mind, Thomas forges friendships with Alby, second-incommand Newt (Thomas Brodie- Sangster) and runt of the litter Chuck (Blake Cooper), but falls foul of brutish rival Gally (Will Poulter).

Teens look set to be in it for the long run; FILM REVIEW DAMON SMITH

Having plucked his name from the fog of his mind, Thomas forges friendships with Alby, second-incommand Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and runt of the litter Chuck (Blake Cooper), but falls foul of brutish rival Gally (Will Poulter).

TOTES a TOTES a maze maze

I hemmed and hawed a bit, and after giving serious consideration to the runt of the litter, a cute little female, I went with her polar opposite and dubbed him the Splendid Splinter in homage to Wilton's owner, Ted Williams.

Letter too good not to treasure

Hawaiian was the runt of the litter," said one judge on the panel.

Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley Recognized for Leadership with Airline Strategy Award

John Leguizano provides the voice of a chirpy bird who recounts the story of a Pachyrhinosaurus who goes from runt of the litter to head of his herd.

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Screenwriter John Collee roasts a hoary narrative chestnut - the journey of a runt of the litter - for a simplistic script.

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He's the runt of the litter so he's had to fight a bit more.

Heel Hitler! Pup is spitting image of evil tyrant of the Third Rrrrrreich

Sash, who is now nine, was the runt of the litter and the only gold-colored pup among her seven blonde, near-white colored siblings.

Sasha Levinson, wonder dog (and occasional service animal): she is a consistently good natured friend, our constant and loyal companion--and the love of our lives

He was turning out to be the runt of the litter, and we were both embarrassed by it.

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With the epic series now over, we look back at who ended up king of the of the jungle and who was the runt of the litter.

RUGBY UNION OPINION: Lions series triumph down to bold Warren..

Hercules was the runt of the litter, he had to be taken out and kept apart from the other piglets because they were all bullying him.

MUM GIVES BEDTIME PAL THE CHOP

FELINE FINE: Lucky, the runt of the litter and half the size of his four brothers and sisters, was among the kittens saved from being crushed in a car wrecker (below)