ENGLISH
REFERENCE

boys and girls

idiom
Meaning

Used to address an audience of children, or (jocularly) of adults.


Examples
SIMPLE

Listen up, boys and girls, it is time to start the lesson.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher clapped her hands and said, boys and girls, please find your seats so we can begin the story.

COMPLEX

Gather round, boys and girls, for I have a tale of adventure that will surely capture your imaginations this evening.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    big boys

    The people or bodies with the most influence and/or power.

  2. 02

    boys and their toys

    Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.

© 2026 English Reference