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terrible twos

[ ter-uh-buhl tooz ]

plural noun

  1. 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!”



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Word History and Origins

Origin of terrible twos1

First recorded in 1950–55
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Example Sentences

"It's still in its terrible twos," is how one Obama administration official puts it.

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