Meaning of once an adult and twice a child | Babel Free

Definitions

Phrase. [C2]

Examples

“Mrs. Collins was nearly ninety years old. Her life fittingly illustrates the old proverb “Once an adult and twice a child.” For a number of years she had been indisposed in mind as well as in body and required almost as much care as a child.”

“Grandpa Sulivan came out of his room today (Sunday) ranting around to go to town, thinking it was Saturday. Once an adult and twice a child with us now, sure.”

“My Flossie and I had the Santa Claus tables turned on us Christmas Eve, or maybe it is that old adage, “Once an adult and twice a child’ that came true. Anyway we sat up real late Christmas eve so we would be sure Jim Watie and his sister Andrea were asleep when old Santa came to the house . . . we made it or thought that we did but next morning when we got up instead of there being 3 stockings, Jim’s, Andy’s and Allyn’s hanging at the fire place there were five. Those two imps had filled a couple of stockings with our names on them and hung them up along the side of theirs. It was a lot of fun, made especially so because it was my Flossie’s and my first Christmas as grandpa and grandma.”

“It amazes me that some people find nursing or caring for someone as something no one should do, and it always shocks me to realize that their reaction is so negative. It is as though no one knows how to change diapers on an adult, nor wants to, as though it is something to be ashamed of. Once when I was asked “How can you do this?![”] I replied with a terse “Once an adult and twice a child”. We may have to go through this ourselves one day. It needs to be done.”

CEFR level