terrible twos
[ ter-uh-buhl tooz ]
plural noun
a developmental phase in some toddlers characterized by temper tantrums, mood swings, defiance, and territorial behaviors: The terrible twos have reduced my kiddo’s vocabulary to two words, “mine” and “no!”
Origin of terrible twos
1First recorded in 1950–55
Words Nearby terrible twos
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use terrible twos in a sentence
"It's still in its terrible twos," is how one Obama administration official puts it.
Exclusive: White House Struggles to Replace Janet Napolitano at DHS | Daniel Klaidman | September 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
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