Meaning of na-na na-na boo-boo | Babel Free

Definitions

A taunt or putdown, typically used to indicate that the speaker believes he or she has beaten the listener in a competition or is better in some other way or in a general sense; or an expression of satisfaction that the listener has received some supposedly deserved minor punishment or misfortune (that is to say, schadenfreude).

Canada, US, childish, colloquial, derogatory, humorous, idiomatic, often

Equivalents

Examples

“... is that the educators out there aren't aware of this, they don't know it or what? Ms. Bolinger. It's like na na na na boo boo, make me do it. [Laughter.] ...”

“[Translator's note by David R. Slavitt] ...here is to make clear that this is a display of Schadenfreude, an elegant cocking of the snooks, a protracted "Na-na, na-na, boo-boo," a symphonic Bronx cheer!”

CEFR level