baby

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baby

1. A term of endearment for one's lover or romantic partner. Don't be upset with me, baby—I didn't mean what I said! Aww, thanks, baby. This is exactly what I wanted for Valentine's Day! Baby! This is a pleasant surprise—what are you doing home so early?
2. A jocular term of endearment for one's friend. C'mon, baby, help me load these boxes into the truck. Hey, baby, pass the salt, will ya? Good to see you, baby! How've you been?
3. A term of address for someone, especially a woman, that one thinks is attractive. Used especially when trying to initiate a sexual or romantic encounter. Hey, baby, can I buy you a drink? If a guy comes up to me and calls me "baby," it's an instant turn-off. A: "You're looking fine tonight, baby." B: "Ugh, get lost."
4. A term of endearment for something that one owns and is pleased with or proud of, especially a vehicle, piece of machinery, or electronic device. A: "Wow, nice car!" B: "Thanks! Hop in—I'll show you what this baby can do!" I just bought a brand new sound system. I can't wait to take that baby home and crank some tunes! Whoa, check out the motorcycle! I wonder how fast this baby goes.
5. Some idea, project, or undertaking that one feels directly responsible for and very protective over. (Always comes after a possessive adjective.) This convention has been Sarah's baby for the last eight months, so I'm really glad for her that it all came together so well. Tom's been treating this new redevelopment plan like it's his baby or something, even though we all worked together to come up with it. The Christmas party is Dan's baby. I have no idea what the itinerary is.
6. Someone who is petulantly infantile or immature. Oh, boo-hoo, your sports team lost. So what? God, don't be such a baby! Tom always acts like a big baby whenever the boss doesn't go along with one of his ideas. Any time I beat my brother at anything, he is the biggest baby! Like, get over it, loser!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

baby

1. n. a lover; one’s sweetheart. (Also a term of address.) Come over here and kiss me, baby.
2. n. a term of address for a friend or pal of either sex. Come on, baby, push this thing—hard!
3. n. a thing; a gadget; a machine, such as a car. (Similar to sucker.) Hand me that baby with the sharp point, will you?
4. n. a project thought of as an offspring. (Always with a possessor.) Whose baby is the Johnson account?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
"So do I," I told her, "And I'm not babyish." "That's right," she agreed.
Nor surprisingly he finds there is probably not an adjective that couldn't be made to fit God -- as humanity has perceived Him -- and lists 'mighty, jealous, rude, babyish, deluded, omniscient, vicious, ratty, benign, merciful, duplicitous' and a string of others.
Drawing a distinction between playdates (one or two peers) and playgroups (several peers), Smith gives prerequisites, goals and warnings, addressing difficult peer issues such as dealing with other people's children and their rudeness and lack of response to your child; the stigma among children that is associated with pretend play; viewing it as "babyish"; and your child's lack of attention span.
* Do not criticize regressive behavior or shame the child with words like "babyish."
Ashley's brother picked Quanah, up and said, in a babyish voice, "Did you miss me?"
In his critique of my article |Cuteness', John Sanders argues that my treatment of the distinctively babyish features which get infants noticed and cared for by adults |is, if not an altogether fallacious way of explaining the matter, at least an extremely misleading one'.[1] The guiding hypothesis in my article, as Sanders noted, was that |in the evolution of our mammalian ancestors, the recognition and appreciation of the specialness of the young had survival value for the species.
Youngsters haven't the vocabulary to discuss their feelings, they are ashamed to admit "babyish" feelings, or they don't understand why they feel so unhappy and miserable.
"He's a progressive horse, still a bit awkward and babyish, but with plenty of ability," said Donnacha.
He's a little bit lazy and a little bit babyish, that's why we felt it would be important to bring him here.
Contrary to the babyish advertisements, 'Gaz and Leccy' aren't "out of control" at all, they can be easily controlled by use of the down knob and off switch respectively.
Colourful illustrations add interest to the pages without being babyish and handy hint circles and news flash shapes draw attention to important facts.
O'Brien said: "We liked him before he ever ran but he disappointed the first day and my son Joseph said that he was very idle and babyish.
"We liked him before the first day, but he ran at the Curragh and disappointed and we don't know why; maybe he was just a little idle and babyish so we put the blinkers on at Leopardstown and left them on here.
Decking out your o --spring's bedroom can become pricey, especially as children change so quickly, and grow out of designs that are too babyish. Shutters in bright colours however, will have a long lifespan.