# birds and bees

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/birds-and-bees
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Informal education about sex.

## Examples

- My parents finally told me about the birds and the bees.
- When the children started asking questions about where babies come from, their father decided it was time to explain the birds and the bees.
- The school board debated whether parents or teachers should bear the responsibility of explaining the birds and the bees to young students.

## Origin

Derived from analogies of pollination and egglaying for sexual intercourse and ovulation respectively.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.