# boys and girls

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/boys-and-girls
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- Listen up, boys and girls, it is time to start the lesson.
- The teacher clapped her hands and said, boys and girls, please find your seats so we can begin the story.
- Gather round, boys and girls, for I have a tale of adventure that will surely capture your imaginations this evening.

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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.