Pregnancy is a special time in a person’s life when they are expecting a baby.
People often use idioms or expressions to describe this unique experience. In this article, we’ll explore some common idioms for pregnancy, what they mean, and how to use them. So, let’s dive right in!
What is an idiom for pregnancy?
Idioms are expressions that have a different meaning than what the individual words suggest. They add a fun and creative touch to language.
Here are some idioms related to pregnancy, along with their meanings and examples of how to use them:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bun in the oven | Pregnant | “She’s got a bun in the oven and can’t wait to meet her baby!” |
| Eating for two | Eating extra during pregnancy | “I’m eating for two now, so I’ll have an extra slice of cake, please.” |
| Expecting a bundle of joy | Anticipating a baby with joy | “They’re expecting a bundle of joy in a few months, and the whole family is thrilled.” |
| In the family way | Being pregnant and part of a family | “She’s in the family way, and her siblings can’t wait to become aunts and uncles.” |
| On the nest | Preparing for the baby like a bird building a nest | “She’s busy getting everything ready for the baby; she’s really on the nest.” |
| With child | Informal term for pregnancy | “Back in the day, people used to say a woman was ‘with child’ instead of ‘pregnant.’” |
| Preggers | Casual and friendly term for pregnancy | “Guess what? She’s preggers, and we couldn’t be happier for her!” |
| Knocked up | Informal, unexpected pregnancy | “She was knocked up, but she’s embracing motherhood with open arms.” |
| Baby on board | Signifying pregnancy, often in cars | “They have a ‘baby on board’ sign because they’re excited about their little one on the way.” |
| In the pudding club | British idiom for being pregnant | “She’s in the pudding club and already planning for the baby’s arrival.” |
| On the way | Simply means expecting a baby | “Their baby is on the way, and they can’t wait to meet the little one.” |
| The stork is coming | Playful expression for a baby’s arrival | “They say the stork is coming, and soon there’ll be a new addition to the family.” |
| In the motherly way | Being in a state of pregnancy | “She’s glowing and definitely in the motherly way.” |
| On the preggo | Trendy way to say someone is pregnant | “She’s on the preggo and loving every moment of it.” |
| Carrying a baby | Simply means being pregnant | “She’s carrying a baby, and her due date is just around the corner.” |
| With a bump | Indicating a visible baby bump | “She’s with a bump, and her belly is getting bigger every day.” |
| Got a bun in the oven | Playful way to say someone is pregnant | “Guess what? She’s got a bun in the oven, and everyone’s excited!” |
| In a delicate condition | Implying a special and fragile condition | “She’s in a delicate condition and taking extra care of herself.” |
| With a little someone on the way | Playfully hinting at pregnancy | “They’re overjoyed with the news—there’s a little someone on the way!” |
| Sporting a baby bump | Proudly displaying a pregnant belly | “She’s proudly sporting a baby bump, and she looks radiant.” |
| In a family way | Similar to “in the family way,” indicating pregnancy | “They’re in a family way, and their hearts are full of anticipation.” |
Pregnancy is like a journey of anticipation, with each passing day akin to a step closer to the destination of new life. For more comparisons to describe pregnancy, you can check this link: Similes for pregnancy. And for a variety of metaphors related to pregnancy, you can explore this link: Metaphors for pregnancy.
Idioms for Pregnancy
1. Bun in the oven
Meaning: When someone says they have a “bun in the oven,” it means they are pregnant.
In a Sentence: “She’s got a bun in the oven and can’t wait to meet her baby!”
2. Eating for two
Meaning: This idiom suggests that during pregnancy, a woman is eating for herself and her growing baby.
In a Sentence: “I’m eating for two now, so I’ll have an extra slice of cake, please.”
3. Expecting a bundle of joy
Meaning: Expecting a bundle of joy means looking forward to the arrival of a baby with happiness and excitement.
In a Sentence: “They’re expecting a bundle of joy in a few months, and the whole family is thrilled.”
4. In the family way
Meaning: When someone is “in the family way,” it means they are pregnant and part of a family.
In a Sentence: “She’s in the family way, and her siblings can’t wait to become aunts and uncles.”
5. On the nest
Meaning: This idiom implies that a person is preparing for the arrival of their baby, similar to a bird building a nest for its eggs.
In a Sentence: “She’s busy getting everything ready for the baby; she’s really on the nest.”
6. With child
Meaning: “With child” is an old-fashioned way of saying someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: “Back in the day, people used to say a woman was ‘with child’ instead of ‘pregnant.’”
7. Preggers
Meaning: A casual and friendly way to say that someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: “Guess what? She’s preggers, and we couldn’t be happier for her!”
8. Knocked up
Meaning: This informal idiom means someone has become pregnant unexpectedly or accidentally.
In a Sentence: “She was knocked up, but she’s embracing motherhood with open arms.”
9. Baby on board
Meaning: Often seen as a sign in cars, “baby on board” lets others know there’s a baby in the vehicle. As an idiom, it means someone is expecting a baby.
In a Sentence: “They have a ‘baby on board’ sign because they’re excited about their little one on the way.”
10. In the pudding club
Meaning: A British idiom, “in the pudding club” means being pregnant.
In a Sentence: “She’s in the pudding club and already planning for the baby’s arrival.”
11. On the way
Meaning: Simply put, “on the way” means that a baby is on its way, and the person is expecting.
In a Sentence: “Their baby is on the way, and they can’t wait to meet the little one.”
12. The stork is coming
Meaning: This idiom playfully suggests that the stork, a mythical bird, is delivering a baby.
In a Sentence: “They say the stork is coming, and soon there’ll be a new addition to the family.”
13. In the motherly way
Meaning: “In the motherly way” means being in a state of pregnancy, embracing motherhood.
In a Sentence: “She’s glowing and definitely in the motherly way.”
14. On the preggo
Meaning: A trendy way to say that someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: “She’s on the preggo and loving every moment of it.”
15. Carrying a baby
Meaning: Simply means that someone is carrying a baby in their womb.
In a Sentence: “She’s carrying a baby, and her due date is just around the corner.”
16. With a bump
Meaning: “With a bump” indicates that a woman is visibly pregnant and showing her baby bump.
In a Sentence: “She’s with a bump, and her belly is getting bigger every day.”
17. Got a bun in the oven
Meaning: Similar to “bun in the oven,” this phrase playfully suggests that someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: “Guess what? She’s got a bun in the oven, and everyone’s excited!”
18. In a delicate condition
Meaning: This idiom delicately implies that someone is in a fragile and special condition—pregnancy.
In a Sentence: “She’s in a delicate condition and taking extra care of herself.”
19. With a little someone on the way
Meaning: This idiom playfully hints that someone is expecting a baby.
In a Sentence: “They’re overjoyed with the news—there’s a little someone on the way!”
20. Sporting a baby bump
Meaning: “Sporting a baby bump” means proudly displaying one’s pregnant belly.
In a Sentence: “She’s proudly sporting a baby bump, and she looks radiant.”
21. In a family way
Meaning: Similar to “in the family way,” it means someone is pregnant and becoming part of a family.
In a Sentence: “They’re in a family way, and their hearts are full of anticipation.”
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Idiom Meanings
- What does the idiom “Bun in the oven” mean?
- What does “Eating for two” imply?
- What is the meaning of “Expecting a bundle of joy”?
- Explain the idiom “On the nest.”
- What does “With child” refer to?
Quiz 2: Idiom Usage
- Use the idiom “Preggers” in a sentence.
- Create a sentence using the idiom “Baby on board.”
- Write a sentence incorporating the idiom “Knocked up.”
- Form a sentence with the phrase “With a bump.”
- How would you use the idiom “Sporting a baby bump” in a sentence?
Quiz 3: Idioms and Synonyms
- Find a synonym for “In the family way.”
- What’s another way to say “With child”?
- Suggest a synonym for “Expecting a bundle of joy.”
- Give a synonym for “Got a bun in the oven.”
- What synonym can you find for “In the pudding club”?
Quiz 4: Idioms and Origins
- Do you know the origin of the idiom “Bun in the oven”?
- Can you explain the historical background of “The stork is coming”?
- What’s the origin of the idiom “On the nest”?
- Share the history behind the idiom “In a delicate condition.”
- Explain the origin of the idiom “In the motherly way.”
Quiz 5: Idioms and Interpretations
- How might someone interpret the idiom “Eating for two” besides its literal meaning?
- What could be the emotional interpretation of “Expecting a bundle of joy”?
- In addition to pregnancy, what could “On the way” symbolize in life?
- How might someone view “With child” as a metaphor beyond pregnancy?
- Explain the symbolic interpretation of “Sporting a baby bump.”
Quiz 6: Idioms and Cultural Variations
- Is “In the pudding club” commonly used in American English?
- Are there any cultural variations for the idiom “Baby on board”?
- Do some regions prefer “Preggers” over other pregnancy idioms?
- Are there cultural differences in the use of “The stork is coming”?
- Explore if “In a family way” has different meanings in various cultures.
Quiz 7: Creative Idiom Usage
- Invent a new sentence using the idiom “Carrying a baby.”
- Create a humorous sentence using the idiom “Got a bun in the oven.”
- Write a sentence that includes the idiom “On the preggo” in a unique context.
- Invent a metaphorical sentence for “In the motherly way.”
- Come up with a creative sentence incorporating the idiom “With a little someone on the way.”
Quiz 8: Idioms and Modern Language
- Are these idioms still commonly used in modern language?
- Do social media and popular culture impact the use of these idioms today?
- How have these idioms evolved over time in everyday conversation?
- Are there new idioms related to pregnancy that have emerged recently?
- Discuss the role of slang and contemporary language in the context of pregnancy idioms.
Quiz 9: Idioms and Personal Experiences
- Share a personal story or anecdote related to one of the pregnancy idioms mentioned in the article.
- Describe a situation where you or someone you know used one of these idioms during a pregnancy announcement.
- Explain how these idioms can add humor and warmth to conversations about pregnancy.
- Discuss the emotional impact of pregnancy idioms on individuals and families.
- Reflect on the significance of using idiomatic expressions to describe a pregnancy experience.
Quiz 10: Idioms and Pop Culture References
- Identify instances in movies, TV shows, or songs where these pregnancy idioms are used.
- How do these idioms contribute to humor and storytelling in popular culture?
- Share your favorite pop culture reference involving one of these idioms.
- Explore the influence of celebrities and public figures in popularizing pregnancy idioms.
- Discuss the role of humor and entertainment in shaping the perception of pregnancy through these idiomatic expressions.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a wonderful journey, and using idioms like these can make it even more enjoyable. Whether you’re “eating for two” or “sporting a baby bump,” these expressions add a touch of humor and excitement to the experience.
