English Reference
Idiom idiom

boys and girls


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

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


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.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as the next girl

    To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical woman.

  2. 02

    atta girl

    Alternative spelling of attagirl.

  3. 03

    big boy

    A large object or person.

  4. 04

    big boys

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

  5. 05

    big girl

    An adult woman; a woman behaving as a responsible adult.

  6. 06

    blue-eyed boy

    The favorite, especially a young one, especially of someone in power; a fair-haired boy (US), (Australian).

  7. 07

    boy howdy

    Expresses strong support or agreement.

  8. 08

    boy in the boat

    The human clitoris.

Last updated August 10, 2026