little emperor
In contemporary China, a child with no siblings who is regarded as overly protected and spoiled. (Seen as belonging to a generation which is a product of China's "one-child" policy.)
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The boy acts like a little emperor at home.”
“Because his parents and grandparents give him everything he wants, he has become a little emperor.”
“Sociologists often analyze how the one-child policy fostered the rise of the little emperor, a generation defined by intense parental focus and high expectations.”
A calque of Chinese 小皇帝 (xiǎohuángdì).
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a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
- 02
a little bit of bread and no cheese
Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).
- 03
a little from column A, a little from column B
A combination of two factors or reasons.
- 04
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 05
emperor's new clothes
Something obvious and embarrassing that is politely ignored or that goes unacknowledged.
- 06
in one's own little way
In an individual manner that creates an effect from a small action.
- 07
little girl
One's daughter.
- 08
little hand
Synonym of hour hand (on a clock face).
Last updated August 10, 2026