"Rob the cradle" means to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone significantly younger than oneself, usually by more than a decade. This meaning is often used to criticize or mock the older person for being immature, desperate, or predatory.
In short:
- It means to date or marry someone much younger.
- It can also mean to exploit or take advantage of someone who is young or inexperienced.
"Rob the cradle" is an idiom that means to date or marry someone much younger than oneself. It is often used negatively or humorously to imply that the older person is taking advantage of the younger person's innocence or immaturity. The idiom uses the image of stealing a baby from its cradle to suggest a significant age gap between the partners.
The origin of the idiom "rob the cradle" is not very clear, but it seems to date back to the first half of the 20th century. Robbing a cradle may have been inspired by the image of stealing a baby from its parents, considered a heinous crime. Alternatively, it may have been derived from the cradle metaphor symbolizing childhood, innocence, or vulnerability.
According to some sources, it was first recorded in print in 1944 in a novel by John O'Hara called A Rage to Live. In this novel, one of the characters says:
"I don't want to rob any cradles," he said. "But I don't want to be an old man with a young wife either."
Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:
Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of popular culture:
Some different ways to say "rob the cradle" are:
Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:
"Rob the cradle" means to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone significantly younger than oneself, usually by more than a decade. This meaning is often used to criticize or mock the older person for being immature, desperate, or predatory.
The origin of the idiom "rob the cradle" is not very clear, but it seems to date back to the first half of the 20th century. It may have been inspired by the image of stealing a baby from its parents, considered a heinous crime. Alternatively, it may have been derived from the cradle metaphor symbolizing childhood, innocence, or vulnerability.
It depends on the context and the tone of the speaker. Sometimes, it can be used to compliment someone for their youthful appearance or energy. Other times, it can be used to insult someone for their immaturity or desperation.
It can be seen as sexist or ageist because it implies something wrong or unnatural about dating or marrying someone much younger than oneself. It also reinforces gender stereotypes that men should be older and more powerful than women and that women should be more youthful and attractive than men. It also discriminates against people based on age and assumes they have nothing in common or are compatible with someone from a different generation.
It is not illegal to date or marry someone much younger than oneself, as long as both parties are consenting adults and are not breaking any laws regarding marriage, adultery, or incest. However, it may be considered immoral by some people who believe such relationships are inappropriate, unethical, or sinful. Some people may also disapprove of such relationships for personal, cultural, or religious reasons.
There is no definitive way to tell if someone is dating or marrying someone much younger than themselves, as different people may have different opinions on what constitutes a significant age gap.
There is no single reason why people date or marry someone much younger than themselves, as different people may have different motivations or preferences.
It can cause legal, ethical, or moral issues if the younger person is underage, married, or related to the older person. In addition, it can also cause emotional, psychological, or social issues if the younger person is immature, naive, or dependent on the older person. Plus, it can cause compatibility, communication, or trust issues if the older and younger person have different views, beliefs, or values.
There is no need to judge or condemn someone dating or marrying someone much younger than themselves, as different people may have various reasons or feelings for their relationship. Just be understanding and empathetic of their situation and choices.
Statistics show that "robbing the cradle" is uncommon in most countries. For example, in the United States, only about 8% of married couples have an age difference of 10 years or more. However, some factors may increase the likelihood of "robbing the cradle," such as having a divorce or separation, being wealthy or famous, and having a preference or fetish for younger people.
"Rob the cradle" is an idiom with positive and negative connotations, depending on how it is used and perceived. It can describe a relationship based on love, attraction, or compatibility or a relationship based on exploitation, manipulation, or insecurity.
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